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Disaccharide
01
a type of sugar composed of two simple sugar molecules, commonly found in foods such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose
What is "disaccharide"?
Disaccharides are a type of carbohydrate made up of two linked sugar molecules that provide a quick source of energy. Common examples include sucrose, which is table sugar; lactose, which is milk sugar; and maltose, which is malt sugar. Sucrose is found in many plants and is commonly used as a sweetener. Lactose is found in dairy products and is the main sugar in milk. Maltose is found in certain grains and is produced during the breakdown of starch. When consumed, disaccharides are broken down into their simpler sugar components by digestive enzymes before being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Example
The food label indicates the presence of disaccharides in the sweetener.
A disaccharide consists of two sugar molecules linked together.
Researchers are studying the digestion process of disaccharides in the human body.
Amy learned about disaccharides in her biology class.
The doctor explained the importance of understanding disaccharides for managing diabetes.
