Which of the following is an example of a disaccharide?

Disaccharides are carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharide units linked together by a glycosidic bond. Sucrose is a prime example of a disaccharide because it is formed from the combination of glucose and fructose molecules. This bond creates a compound that has unique properties distinct from its monosaccharide components.

In contrast, glucose, galactose, and fructose are all monosaccharides, which means they consist of single sugar units. Each of these plays a significant role in metabolism and energy production, but they do not meet the definition of a disaccharide since they are not composed of two sugar units.

Understanding the structure and classification of carbohydrates is crucial in biochemistry, as different sugars can have varying functions and implications in biological systems.