Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

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What is the basic structure of a disaccharide?

  1. One molecular sugar unit

  2. Two molecular sugar units

  3. Three molecular sugar units

  4. Four molecular sugar units

The correct answer is: Two molecular sugar units

A disaccharide is a carbohydrate that consists of two monosaccharide units linked together by a glycosidic bond. This linkage occurs when two monosaccharides undergo a dehydration reaction where a water molecule is removed, resulting in the formation of the disaccharide. Common examples of disaccharides include sucrose (table sugar), which is formed from glucose and fructose, and lactose, composed of glucose and galactose. Understanding that the fundamental unit of a disaccharide comprises exactly two sugar molecules is crucial, as it distinguishes disaccharides from monosaccharides, which contain a single sugar unit, and polysaccharides, which consist of many monosaccharide units linked together in long chains. This foundational knowledge is essential for studying carbohydrate chemistry and understanding the role different sugars play in nutrition and metabolism.