Which of the following is an example of a disaccharide?

The correct answer is sucrose because it is a type of disaccharide, which consists of two simple sugars (monosaccharides) bonded together. In the case of sucrose, it is formed from one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule. Disaccharides are characterized by their ability to hydrolyze into two monosaccharides, making them a key component of carbohydrate metabolism in the body.

Glucose and fructose are examples of monosaccharides, the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units. Cellulose, on the other hand, is a polysaccharide and is composed of long chains of glucose units linked together. Thus, while all the other options represent different carbohydrate structures, sucrose specifically qualifies as a disaccharide due to its composition and functional properties.