What compound is formed when glucose and fructose combine?

When glucose and fructose combine, they form sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule linked together through a glycosidic bond. This specific combination is significant in both diet and food science, as sucrose is commonly known as table sugar and is widely used as a sweetener in various foods and beverages.

Understanding this process involves recognizing that glucose and fructose are simple sugars, or monosaccharides. When they undergo a dehydration reaction, also known as condensation, they lose a water molecule and join together to form the disaccharide sucrose. This reaction is central to carbohydrate chemistry and demonstrates how simple sugars can combine to create more complex carbohydrates.

The other options represent different combinations of sugars. Maltose is a disaccharide made from two glucose molecules, lactose is composed of one glucose and one galactose, and galactose is itself a monosaccharide. Therefore, the formation of sucrose from glucose and fructose showcases an essential mechanism in nutritional science and carbohydrate metabolism.