Which of the following is an example of a disaccharide?

A disaccharide is a type of carbohydrate formed when two monosaccharide molecules undergo a condensation reaction, releasing a molecule of water and creating a bond between them. Sucrose, which is composed of glucose and fructose, perfectly fits this definition, as it consists of two simple sugars joined together.

In contrast, fructose is a monosaccharide, the simplest form of sugar, consisting of a single sugar unit. Cellulose is a polysaccharide made up of many glucose units linked together, contributing to the structural component of plant cell walls. Starch, like cellulose, is also a polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules and serves as an energy reserve in plants. Therefore, among the choices given, sucrose stands out as the only example of a disaccharide due to its specific two-sugar structure.