A simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is one of the two components of lactose (milk sugar) and is found in many biological compounds.
From Greek 'gala' (milk) + '-ose' (suffix for sugars), named because it's the 'milk sugar' component, first identified in milk.
Babies born with galactosemia can't process galactose, turning it into a toxic substance that damages their brains and eyes—but if caught at birth and they avoid milk, they grow up normally, showing how crucial early diagnosis can be.
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