Disaccharides: Structures and Functions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to disaccharides, their structures, functions, and digestion processes.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharide units joined by a glycosidic bond.

Glycosidic bond

A covalent bond that connects two monosaccharides in a disaccharide.

Condensation reaction

A chemical reaction where two molecules combine to form a single molecule with the loss of water.

α (alpha) bonds

Glycosidic bonds that face 'down' in disaccharides.

β (beta) bonds

Glycosidic bonds that face 'up' in disaccharides.

Maltose

A disaccharide formed from two glucose units, primarily used in the digestion of starch and glycogen.

Sucrose

Commonly known as sugar, a disaccharide produced by many plants for energy storage.

Lactose

Milk sugar, a disaccharide that occurs naturally in the milk of mammals.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down disaccharides into their monosaccharide units in the body.

Lactase

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose.

Lactose intolerance

A condition where individuals cannot digest lactose due to a deficiency of lactase enzyme.