What are the four main disaccharides?

The four main disaccharides are sucrose, lactose, maltose, and trehalose. These are important carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharide units.

1. Sucrose:

• Composed of glucose + fructose
• Commonly known as table sugar
• Found in sugarcane and sugar beet

1. Lactose:

• Composed of glucose + galactose
• Known as milk sugar
• Present in milk and dairy products

1. Maltose:

• Composed of glucose + glucose
• Formed during starch digestion
• Found in germinating grains

1. Trehalose:

• Composed of glucose + glucose
• Found in fungi, mushrooms, and some insects
• Helps organisms survive extreme conditions

Key Function:
Disaccharides provide energy and are broken down into monosaccharides during digestion for absorption.

Conclusion:
The four main disaccharides - sucrose, lactose, maltose, and trehalose - play a vital role in nutrition and metabolism.