Question

Milk from which species has maximum content of lactose?

• A. Human
• B. Cow
• C. Sheep
• D. Buffalo

Hint:

Human milk is characterized by high lactose (approx. \( 7\% \)) and low protein (approx. \( 1.2\% \)) levels compared to domesticated dairy animals, reflecting the different growth rates and physiological needs of infants.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate found in the milk of almost all mammals.
It is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose.
The concentration of lactose varies significantly among different mammalian species to meet the specific energy and developmental needs of their offspring.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us compare the average lactose content of milk from different species:
- Human milk contains the highest concentration of lactose among these species, averaging about \( 7.0\% \) to \( 7.5\% \).
This high lactose level supports the rapid brain and nervous system development of human infants.
- Cow milk contains approximately \( 4.5\% \) to \( 4.8\% \) lactose.
- Buffalo milk contains approximately \( 4.8\% \) to \( 5.0\% \) lactose.
- Sheep milk contains approximately \( 4.6\% \) to \( 4.8\% \) lactose.
Comparing these values, human milk has the maximum lactose content.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Human milk has the highest lactose content among the given species.