Question

Lactose is a compound of which units? 

Hint:

Lactose, the primary sugar in milk, is made up of \( \beta \)-D-Galactose and \( \beta \)-D-Glucose. It is hydrolyzed by the enzyme lactase in the human body.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding Lactose 
- Lactose is a disaccharide composed of two monosaccharide units.
- It is found in milk and is commonly known as milk sugar. 
Step 2: Composition of Lactose 
- Lactose consists of:
- \( \beta \)-D-Galactose (a monosaccharide).
- \( \beta \)-D-Glucose (a monosaccharide).
- These two sugars are linked by a \( \beta(1 \rightarrow 4) \) glycosidic bond. 
Step 3: Conclusion 
Lactose is a disaccharide composed of one molecule of \( \beta \)-D-Galactose and one molecule of \( \beta \)-D-Glucose linked through a glycosidic bond.