Difference Wiki

Disaccharides vs. Polysaccharides

The main difference between Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides is that the Disaccharides are made up of two monomers, and Polysaccharides are made up of an enormous number of monomers.

Key Differences

Disaccharides are usually soluble in water, while polysaccharides are generally insoluble in water.
Disaccharides also sweet in taste; on the other hand, polysaccharides are not sweet.
Disaccharides are usually consisting of two monomers; on the flip side, polysaccharides contain a large number of monomers.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2022
Foods use an example in disaccharides are table sugar or are found in beetroot; conversely, some examples of food in polysaccharides are oats, buckwheat, brown rice, etc.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2022
Disaccharides contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure, while polysaccharides contain the chemical structure as branched or complex structures.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2022
Disaccharides are act as reducing sugars; on the contrary, polysaccharides ae always acts as non-reducing sugars.
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The general formula of disaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10, while the general formula for polysaccharides is (CH2O) y, where n could be more than between 200-2500.
Two ring structures are present in disaccharides; on the other hand, several ring structures are present in polysaccharides.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2022
The molecular weight of disaccharides as compare to monosaccharides is comparatively larger; on the other hand, polysaccharides contain comparatively larger molecular weight as compare to all other molecules.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2022
Disaccharides are used by plants to carrying molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants; on the contrary, polysaccharides act as an energy reservoir and refer as the structural constituent in cell walls of plants.

Comparison Chart

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Disaccharides are also called as double sugars produced by the joining of two monosaccharides by a glycosidic bond.
Polysaccharides are known as polymeric carbohydrates formed of extensive series of monosaccharides units that are bonded with each other by glycosidic bonds.

Considered As

They are considered as molecules of sugar made up of monosaccharides.
They are considered as carbohydrate molecules composed of several molecules of monosaccharides.
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Water Solubility

Most are soluble in water.
Insoluble in water

Taste

Sweet in taste
Do not taste sweet

Reducing Strength

Mostly act as reducing sugars
Always acts as non-reducing sugars
Aimie Carlson
Sep 27, 2022

Number of Monomers

Usually consisting of two monomers
Contain a large number of monomers
Janet White
Sep 27, 2022

Chemical Structure

Contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure
Contains the chemical structure as branched or complex structures

Chemical Rings

Contain two ring structures
Consist of several ring structures
Janet White
Sep 27, 2022
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General Formula

(CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10
(CH2O) y, where n could be more than 200-250

Significance

Used by plants to transport molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants
Refer to the structural constituent in cell walls of plants that act as an energy reservoir
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2022

Molecular Weight

The larger molecular weight as compare to monosaccharides
Larger molecular weight

Foods as Examples

Table sugar or disaccharides are found in beetroot
Oats, buckwheat, brown rice, etc
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2022

Disaccharides and Polysaccharides Definitions

Disaccharides

Plural of disaccharide

Polysaccharides

Any of a class of carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose, consisting of a number of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds.

Polysaccharides

Plural of polysaccharide

Disaccharides vs. Polysaccharides

Disaccharides are considered as molecules of sugar made up of monosaccharides, and polysaccharides are considered as carbohydrate molecules composed of several molecules of monosaccharides linked with glycosidic bonds. Most of the disaccharides are usually soluble in water, whereas polysaccharides are generally insoluble in water. Disaccharides also sweet in taste; on the contrary, polysaccharides are not sweet.

Most of the disaccharides are act as reducing sugars; on the contrary, polysaccharides always act as non-reducing sugars. Disaccharides are usually consisting of two monomers; on the flip side, polysaccharides contain a large number of monomers. The chemical structure of disaccharides contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure, while polysaccharides contain the chemical structure as branched or complex structures.

The chemical rings in disaccharides contain two ring structures; on the other hand, polysaccharides consist of several ring structures. The general formula of disaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10, while the general formula for polysaccharides is (CH2O) y, where n could be more than 200-250. Disaccharides are used by plants to transport molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants; on the contrary, polysaccharides refer to the structural constituent in cell walls of plants that act as an energy reservoir.

Disaccharides contain a comparatively larger molecular weight as compare to monosaccharides; on the other hand, polysaccharides contain comparatively larger molecular weight as compare to all other molecules. Food use an example in disaccharides are table sugar or disaccharides are found in beetroot; conversely, some examples of food in polysaccharides are oats, buckwheat, brown rice, etc.

What are Disaccharides?

Disaccharides are referred to as sugar molecules that are made up of two monosaccharides. Hence, every molecule of disaccharide formed of two chemical rings. The bond or link present among two monosaccharides is known as a glycosidic bond.

Disaccharides are also known as simple sugars. All disaccharides are dissolved in water and colorless or dull when soluble in water. Some of the disaccharides could sweet in taste, but some not act as sweet.

Significance of disaccharides Is that they are used by plants to transport molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants. Various examples are sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Food uses an example in disaccharides are table sugar, found in beetroot, or add in food for sweetness.

Types

  • Reducing Sugars: Could perform as a reducing agent
  • Non-Reducing Sugars: Cannot perform as a reducing agent

What are Polysaccharides?

A polysaccharide is considered a carbohydrate that is composed of several monosaccharides through glycosidic bonds. They are an extensive series of monosaccharide molecules. Hence, all the polysaccharides are formed of several chemical rings.

The composition of polysaccharides happens by polymerization condensation because a molecule of water is produced by every glycosidic bond. Many polysaccharides are usually insoluble in water and do not contain a sweet taste. Because of the complex structure of polysaccharides, they all act as non-reducing agents.

Polysaccharides contain the chemical structure as branched or complex structures. Some of the polysaccharides’ examples are starch and cellulose.

Classification

  • Homo-Polysaccharides: Composed of only one type of monosaccharides
  • Hetero-Polysaccharides: Composed of two or more types of monosaccharides

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