Disahhariidiühikud

Disahhariidiühikud, also known as disaccharides, are carbohydrates formed from the glycosidic linkage of two monosaccharide units. These simple sugars are the simplest form of carbohydrates that are not monosaccharides. Common examples include sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Sucrose, commonly known as table sugar, is composed of glucose and fructose. Lactose, the sugar found in milk, is made up of glucose and galactose. Maltose, often called malt sugar, consists of two glucose units linked together. The formation of a disaccharide from two monosaccharides involves a dehydration reaction, where a molecule of water is released. Conversely, disaccharides can be hydrolyzed back into their constituent monosaccharides by adding water. The specific type of glycosidic bond and the types of monosaccharides involved determine the properties and functions of each disaccharide. For instance, humans can digest sucrose and lactose due to the presence of specific enzymes, but some individuals lack the necessary enzymes to break down lactose, leading to lactose intolerance.