Disaccharides: Structure
- Two monosaccharides can join together via condensation reactions to form disaccharides
- A condensation reaction is one in which two molecules join together via the formation of a new chemical bond, with a molecule of water being released in the process
- The new chemical bond that forms between two monosaccharides is known as a glycosidic bond
- Common examples of disaccharides include
- Maltose
- Contains two molecules of glucose linked by a 1,4 glycosidic bond
- This means that the glycosidic bond is located between carbon 1 of one monosaccharide and carbon 4 of the other
- Contains two molecules of glucose linked by a 1,4 glycosidic bond
- Sucrose
- Contains a molecule of glucose and a molecule of fructose linked by a 1,2 glycosidic bond
- This means that the glycosidic bond is located between carbon 1 of one monosaccharide and carbon 2 of the other
- Contains a molecule of glucose and a molecule of fructose linked by a 1,2 glycosidic bond
- Lactose
- Contains a molecule of glucose and a molecule of galactose linked by a 1,4 glycosidic bond
- Maltose
Sucrose is a disaccharide formed from a molecule of glucose (left) and a molecule of fructose (right) joined together by a 1,2 glycosidic bond