Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Table sugar (sucrose) crystals. Sucrose, or common table sugar (also called saccharose), is a disaccharide that consists of two component monosaccharidesglucose and fructose. It is best known for its role in human nutrition and is formed by plants but not by higher organisms. It is commonly used as a sweetener. Magnification: x61 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.