Maltose consists of which two monosaccharides?

Maltose is a disaccharide formed by the combination of two specific monosaccharides: glucose and glucose. This sugar is produced when starch is broken down during digestion or fermentation processes. The presence of two glucose units bonded together through a glycosidic bond gives maltose its characteristic structure and function.

Understanding this composition is important in nutrition and physiology, as maltose is an important source of energy in the body. It is quickly broken down into glucose molecules, which can be utilized by the body's cells for energy. This characteristic makes maltose distinct from other disaccharides, each of which is formed from different combinations of monosaccharides, such as sucrose, which is made up of glucose and fructose, or lactose, which consists of glucose and galactose.