Lactose (Noun)
Meaning
A sugar comprising one glucose molecule linked to a galactose molecule; occurs only in milk; "cow's milk contains about 4.7% lactose".
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Individuals with lactose intolerance have difficulty breaking down lactose in milk products as their body produces insufficient lactase enzyme.
- Fresh milk typically contains about 4.7% lactose by weight, although this value can vary between species.
- The bacterial fermentation process of lactose is the underlying principle for cheese and yogurt production.
- The cell membranes of certain bacteria can transport lactose from the external environment into the cell, where it can be utilized for metabolic purposes.
- In lactose-hydrolyzed milk, lactose is broken down into its constituent glucose and galactose molecules by addition of lactase enzyme.