Which of the following is a disaccharide?

Prepare for your College Biology Exam 1 with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Test your understanding with detailed explanations and hints to ensure success in your biology exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a disaccharide?

Explanation:
Disaccharides are sugars composed of two monosaccharide units linked by a glycosidic bond. Lactose fits this description because it is made of galactose and glucose joined together, typically by a beta-1,4 glycosidic linkage. This two-unit structure is what defines it as a disaccharide; when lactose is hydrolyzed, it splits into galactose and glucose. The other options are not disaccharides: one is a single sugar (a monosaccharide), another is a long polymer made of many glucose units (a polysaccharide), and the last is also a single sugar.

Disaccharides are sugars composed of two monosaccharide units linked by a glycosidic bond. Lactose fits this description because it is made of galactose and glucose joined together, typically by a beta-1,4 glycosidic linkage. This two-unit structure is what defines it as a disaccharide; when lactose is hydrolyzed, it splits into galactose and glucose. The other options are not disaccharides: one is a single sugar (a monosaccharide), another is a long polymer made of many glucose units (a polysaccharide), and the last is also a single sugar.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy