Final answer:
Human milk contains a higher proportion of lactose than cow's milk, with roughly 7.5% lactose versus 4.5% in cow's milk. Also, cow's milk has more minerals and protein but is not suitable for infants due to difficult-to-digest proteins and lower fat content.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing the composition of human milk, infant formula, and cow's milk demonstrates that human milk contains a higher proportion of lactose compared to cow's milk. Human milk typically contains about 7.5% lactose, while cow's milk contains about 4.5%.
Cow's milk, on the other hand, has more protein and minerals but is less suitable for infants due to its harder-to-digest proteins and because it contains less lactose and less fat than human breast milk. Mature breast milk is designed to suit the infant's needs, with early milk (foremilk) being watery and rich in lactose to quench thirst, and the later milk (hindmilk) being creamy and rich in fat to satisfy the infant's appetite.
When comparing the composition of human milk, infant formula, and cow's milk, several differences can be observed. Human milk contains a higher proportion of lactose compared to cow's milk, making it sweeter. Infant formula, on the other hand, usually has a lower fat content than cow's milk to mimic the composition of human milk. Additionally, cow's milk is typically richer in iron compared to human milk.
Therefore answer is Option 1: Human milk contains a higher proportion of lactose.