Glucose Vs. Lactose
Glucose and lactose are both sugars that are metabolized differently due to their different structures. However, glucose is a component in the composition of lactose.
Monosaccharide vs. Disaccharide
Glucose is a monosaccharide, straight-chain alcohols with at least three carbons. Lactose is a disaccharide, or a fusion of two monosaccharides, one glucose and the other galactose.
Molecular Makeup
Lactose contains 12 carbons, 11 oxygens and 20 hydrogens. Glucose has six carbons, six oxygens and 12 hydrogens.
Structural Characteristics
Glucose is either represented in a straight chain or single ring. Lactose is two rings (one galactose and one glucose) linked together by a beta bond at C1 (carbon 1) and C4 (carbon 4).
Metabolism
Glucose is metabolized by glycolysis, a cycle breaking down the sugar into energy components. Polysaccharides, like lactose, require the enzyme lactase to break down the two linked monosaccharides before metabolism. Individuals who are lactose intolerant usually lack the enzyme lactase in their systems and therefore have a difficult time processing lactose.
Foods
The human body uses glucose as a key source of energy and it is present in most carbohydrates and foods that contain them, whereas lactose is mainly found in dairy and milk.
Tags: carbons oxygens, carbons oxygens hydrogens, enzyme lactase, oxygens hydrogens