What monosaccharides make up lactose?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Jun 27, 2015

The monosaccharides that make up lactose are galactose and glucose.

Explanation:

The structure of galactose, "C"_6"H"_12"O"_6, is

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The structure of glucose, "C"_6"H"_12"O"_6, is

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The "OH" on "C-1" of galactose can combine with the "OH" on "C-4" of glucose to form lactose

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We could write the equation for the formation of lactose as

underbrace("C"_6"H"_12"O"_6)_color(red)("galactose") + underbrace("C"_6"H"_12"O"_6)_color(red)("glucose") → underbrace("C"_12"H"_22"O"_11)_color(red)("lactose") + "H"_2"O"

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