What is the difference between monosaccharides and disaccharides? What are some examples of disaccharides and of monosaccharides that form them?
Monosaccharides are simple molecules of carbohydrates that cannot be broken into other carbohydrates. Glucose and fructose are examples of monosaccharides. Disaccharides are carbohydrates made of two monosaccharides and with the loss of one molecule of water (dehydration). The chemical bond between two monosaccharides is known as a glycosidic bond. Sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide made by the union of one molecule of glucose with one molecule of fructose. Maltose is a disaccharide made by two glucose molecules. Lactose (milk sugar) is another disaccharide and it is created by the union of one molecule of galactose with one molecule of glucose.
