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(i) What are Disaccharides? (ii) State the properties of Disaccharides (iii) State the functions of disaccharides

i) What are Disaccharides?

ii) State the properties of Disaccharides

iii) State the functions of disaccharides

Answers

Felix
i) Disaccharides

These are complex sugars formeed by linking two monosaccharide units through condensation.
They have a general formula CHHZZOH. The bond that holds two monosaccharide units is called glycosidic bond.
Examples of disaccharides include:
Maltose-common in germinating seeds
Sucrose-fruits and sugar cane. Sucrose is the form in which carbohydrates are transported in plants
Lactose- found in milk

ii) Properties of Disaccharides

They are sweet tasting
They are crystallizable
They are water soluble
While they are non reducing sugars, some such as maltose is sugar reducing and is known as a complex reducing sugar.
They can be broken down into their constituent monosaccharide units through hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is the process through which complex molecules are broken down in the presence of water molecules.
In living systems, hydrolysis is carried out by enzymes. However, in the laboratory, hydrolysis can be carried out by boiling the disaccharide in dilute aid such as hydrochloric acid.

iii) Functions

They are hydrolyzed into monosaccharides and respired on to yield energy
They are the form in which carbohydrates are transported in plants due to their soluble and inert nature.
Anganifelix answered the question on May 9, 2018 at 16:36

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