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Which of the following represent disaccharides?
Explanation
Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units they contain. Disaccharides, often called "double sugars," consist of two monosaccharide molecules linked by a glycosidic bond [1]. Maltose and lactose are primary examples of disaccharides; maltose is formed by two glucose molecules, while lactose consists of glucose and galactose. In contrast, glucose and galactose are monosaccharides, which are single sugar units [1]. Starch and glycogen are polysaccharides, representing long chains of many monosaccharides used for energy storage in plants and animals, respectively [1]. Ribose and xylose are pentose sugars, which are five-carbon monosaccharides. Therefore, only the pair of maltose and lactose correctly represents disaccharides.
Sources
- [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459280/