What is the difference between glucose and galactose?
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4 min read
While both are monosaccharides with the same chemical formula, the primary structural difference between glucose and galactose lies in the orientation of a single hydroxyl (-OH) group on the fourth carbon atom. This seemingly minor variation dictates their distinct properties, metabolic pathways, and roles within the body. From how they are sourced in food to how they are processed for energy, glucose and galactose behave quite differently within human biology.