What is the chemical name for table sugar?

Table sugar is scientifically known as sucrose, which is a disaccharide composed of two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. When sugar is used in cooking and baking, it primarily serves as a sweetening agent but also plays roles in texture, moisture retention, and even fermentation processes.

Sucrose is widely recognized as table sugar because it is the form commonly used in most households and is derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. Its crystalline structure allows it to dissolve easily in liquids, making it versatile for a variety of recipes.

The other options, while being types of sugars, refer to different chemical compositions. Fructose is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits; glucose is a fundamental sugar that serves as an important energy source for our bodies, and lactose is the sugar found in milk. Thus, these compounds, though related to sugars, do not represent what table sugar is chemically identified as, which is specifically sucrose.