Lactose, sometimes referred to as `milk sugar,` is a disaccharide found in milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt. It is composed of glucose and galactose, and frees these two monosaccharides when metabolized. Lactose is broken down by the enzyme lactase, produced by the cells lining the small intestine, which releases glucose and galactose so they can be absorbed and used for energy.

In this model, carbon atoms are dark gray, hydrogen atoms are white, and oxygen atoms are red.

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