Fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose are all sugars, which are very similar to each other, but which nevertheless have differences from each other.
All these elements that I have mentioned above are carbohydrates, specifically from the group of sugars, that is, saccharides. Saccharides are the fastest energy source the body has for energy, as it does not require heavy digestion to obtain it.
These sugars are often found in the natural environment, therefore they are the subject of study by many people, including biologists, who study the molecules of all types of macronutrients in the world.
Surely if you are here it is because you have a biology exam soon, since in this subject, they tend to ask this question very often, especially if you are giving molecules. It is also usually asked in chemistry, in the organic chemistry part.
Wherever you come from, do not worry, because from doncomos.com I am going to teach you how to differentiate fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose in an easy, fast and simple way, so that you can know more and pass the exam with the greatest possible effectiveness.
What do you need to differentiate fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose?
- Reading comprehension.
- Some knowledge of biology.
Instructions to differentiate fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose
- Fructose: Fructose is what is called a monosaccharide, that is, a sugar that occurs on its own and that is not the result of the union of any other saccharide. Fructose is a very popular type of sugar, which is usually present in fruits and gives the body energy quickly. For this reason, you have to be careful not to abuse fructose in your diet, since it can make you gain much more weight than you imagine, especially if you mix it with the following saccharides that we are going to differentiate below.
- Glucose: Glucose is the main fuel for the brain and the body in general. Again we are dealing with a monosaccharide, that is, an isolated molecule. Glucose is the simplest of all sugars and the only one that is used directly as fuel. It can be obtained in two ways, with direct consumption of sweets and sugary foods in general or from other molecules, such as splitting disaccharides, making ketosis in fats or even from proteins with gluconeogenesis. This is the famous sugar from the blood and if it is very low, they give you comedowns.
- Lactose: Lactose is already a disaccharide, specifically the union of one glucose and one galactose. Lactose is found in milk and is converted to glucose by an enzyme in the body called lactase. People who are lactose intolerant usually do not have enough lactase in their bodies, since lactase is only created when we are newborns. Therefore, milk is not good for all people, however, it cannot be demonized either, since there are people who tolerate lactose perfectly.
- Maltose: Maltose is a Disaccharide of two glucose linked by glycosidic bond that is obtained from starch. Maltose is found in plants like barley, therefore it is common for beer to have maltose in it (which is why beer is fattening). Actually this molecule is not in a natural form, but is in elements that have a large amount of starch, which is transformed into maltose.
- Sucrose: Sucrose is another disaccharide, specifically glucose plus fructose. This is the so-called common sugar, that is, that white powder that we consume on a regular basis. Sugar is so fattening and so dangerous to health because it is made up of two monosaccharides with a high energy charge, which causes us to release a large amount of calories when consuming it.
- Summary: We are going to make a brief summary of how to differentiate fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose, so that you don’t get confused anymore. First, fructose and glucose are monosaccharides, and lactose, maltose, and sucrose are disaccharides. Secondly, glucose is the only one that can be used as untransformed energy, the rest are all transformed into glucose. Finally, the disaccharides are linked by bonds to each other.
Tips to differentiate fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose
- Tricks to avoid being wrong: Now I am going to give you an association of these words, so as not to confuse you ever again.
- Glucose: Think of glucose dips, so you will remember this as the simplest sugar.
- Fructose: Think about fruits, which have sugar.
- Lactose: Think milk and lactose intolerance.
- Maltose: Think malt, hence beer.
- Sucrose: Think white sugar and its substitute, saccharin.