Which category of carbohydrates includes sugars made of two monosaccharides?

Disaccharides are a category of carbohydrates specifically composed of two monosaccharides linked together by a glycosidic bond. This formation occurs through a dehydration synthesis reaction, where a molecule of water is released as the two sugars bond. Common examples of disaccharides include sucrose (glucose + fructose) and lactose (glucose + galactose).

Understanding this classification is fundamental in nutrition, as disaccharides play a significant role in energy provision and metabolism. By breaking down disaccharides, the body can efficiently access the individual monosaccharides for energy or other metabolic processes.

In contrast, monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and consist of single sugar units, while oligosaccharides contain a small number of monosaccharides (typically 3-10) joined together. Polysaccharides are larger molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharides, serving primarily as energy storage or structural components in plants and animals. This clear distinction among different carbohydrate types helps guide nutritional recommendations and dietary choices.