Understanding Disaccharides: Types, Examples, and Functions

A disaccharide is a type of carbohydrate that is formed by the combination of two simpler sugars, called monosaccharides. Disaccharides are commonly found in foods and are an important source of energy for the body.

Examples of disaccharides include:

1. Sucrose (table sugar): This is a disaccharide made up of glucose and fructose molecules.
2. Lactose (milk sugar): This is a disaccharide made up of glucose and galactose molecules.
3. Maltose: This is a disaccharide made up of two glucose molecules.
4. Cellobiose: This is a disaccharide made up of two glucose molecules.
5. Glycosidic bond: This is a type of covalent bond that forms between a monosaccharide and another molecule, such as a protein or lipid.
6. Glycan: This is a general term for any carbohydrate molecule that contains one or more sugar molecules.
7. Oligosaccharide: This is a type of carbohydrate molecule that contains three to ten sugar molecules.
8. Polysaccharide: This is a type of carbohydrate molecule that contains ten or more sugar molecules.

Disaccharides are important in the body because they provide a source of energy for cells and tissues. They can also play a role in the structure and function of cells and tissues, such as in the formation of cell membranes and the attachment of proteins to cell surfaces.