Difference Wiki

Monosaccharides vs. Disaccharides

The main difference between Monosaccharides, and Disaccharides is that the Monosaccharides are usually the sugars monomers, whereas Disaccharides are made up of two monomers.

Key Differences

Monosaccharides are known as reducing sugars, while most of the disaccharides are act as reducing sugars.
The chemical structure of monosaccharides consists of linear, unbranched, or simple structure; conversely, disaccharides contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure.
Monosaccharides contain a single monomer; on the flip side, disaccharides are usually consisting of two monomers.
Aimie Carlson
Jul 09, 2020
Monosaccharides are usually water-soluble molecules, whereas most of the disaccharides are usually soluble in water.
Monosaccharides are sweet; on the contrary, disaccharides also sweet in taste.
The chemical rings are a single ring structure in monosaccharides; on the contrary, two ring structures are present in disaccharides.
Aimie Carlson
Jul 09, 2020
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The general formula of monosaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be 3, 5 or 6; on the other hand, the general formula of disaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10.
Harlon Moss
Jul 09, 2020
Monosaccharides consist of energy with four calories for each gram; on the contrary, disaccharides are used by plants to carrying molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants.
Aimie Carlson
Jul 09, 2020
The molecular weight of monosaccharides is relatively low as compared to other sugar molecules; on the flip side, the molecular weight of disaccharides as compare to monosaccharides is comparatively larger.
Harlon Moss
Jul 09, 2020
Foods as an example in monosaccharides include honey, fruits, dairy products, beans, etc., whereas foods use an example in disaccharides are table sugar or are found in beetroot.

Comparison Chart

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Monosaccharides are referred to as the simplest form of sugars and the most basic component of a carbohydrate molecule.
Disaccharides are also called as double sugars produced by the joining of two monosaccharides by a glycosidic bond.

Considered As

They are considered as only sugar molecule that performs as building blocks.
They are considered as molecules of sugar made up of monosaccharides.
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Water Solubility

Usually water-soluble molecules
Most are soluble in water.

Taste

Sweet in taste
Sweet in taste
Harlon Moss
Jul 09, 2020

Reducing Strength

Known as reducing sugars
Mostly act as reducing sugars
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Jul 09, 2020

Number of Monomers

Contain a single monomer
Usually consisting of two monomers

Chemical Structure

Consists of a linear, unbranched, or simple structure
Contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure

Chemical Rings

A single ring structure
Contain two ring structures
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Jul 09, 2020
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General Formula

(CH2O) n, where n could be 3, 5 or 6
(CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10

Significance

The main energy source having energy with four calories per gram
Used by plants to transport molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants

Molecular Weight

Low molecular weight
The larger molecular weight as compare to monosaccharides

Foods as Examples

Honey, fruits, dairy products, beans, etc
Table sugar or disaccharides are found in beetroot
Aimie Carlson
Jul 09, 2020

Monosaccharides and Disaccharides Definitions

Monosaccharides

Any of several carbohydrates, such as tetroses, pentoses, and hexoses, that cannot be broken down to simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Also called simple sugar.

Disaccharides

Plural of disaccharide

Monosaccharides

Plural of monosaccharide

Monosaccharides vs. Disaccharides

Monosaccharides are considered as only sugar molecule that performs as building blocks, whereas disaccharides are considered as molecules of sugar made up of monosaccharides. Monosaccharides are usually water-soluble molecules, while most of the disaccharides are usually soluble in water. Monosaccharides are sweet; on the other hand, on the contrary disaccharides also sweet in taste.

Monosaccharides are known as reducing sugars, while most of the disaccharides are act as reducing sugars. Monosaccharides contain a single monomer; on the flip side, disaccharides are usually consisting of two monomers. The chemical structure of monosaccharides consists of linear, unbranched, or simple structure; conversely, disaccharides contain linear, branched or unbranched, and simple chemical structure.

The chemical rings in monosaccharides are a single ring structure; on the contrary, disaccharides contain two ring structures. The general formula of monosaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be 3, 5 or 6; on the other hand, the general formula of disaccharides is (CH2O) n, where n could be from 2 to 10. Monosaccharides are the main energy source having energy with four calories per gram; on the contrary, disaccharides are used by plants to transport molecules like fructose, lactose, and glucose between cells of plants.

Monosaccharides contain a comparatively low molecular weight as compare to other sugar molecules; on the flip side, disaccharides contain a comparatively larger molecular weight as compare to monosaccharides. Monosaccharides consist of food as an example include honey, fruits, dairy products, beans, etc., whereas food use an example in disaccharides are table sugar or disaccharides are found in beetroot.

What are Monosaccharides?

Monosaccharides consider as molecules of single sugar that perform as the basic elements for polysaccharides and disaccharides. They are the most naive arrangement of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides are made up of C, H, and O atoms in their molecules.

(CH2O) n is the general or common formula of monosaccharides where n relates to units could be 3, 5, or 6. These are mostly originating in ketone form or aldehyde from their carbonyl structure, and monosaccharides particularly contain a carbonyl group. Monosaccharides having aldehyde group are usually called as aldoses and monosaccharides containing ketone groups are called as ketoses.

Almost all monosaccharides are soluble in water and have a sweet taste and become colorless or faded when soluble in water. The chemical structure of monosaccharides consists of linear, unbranched, or simple structures. Examples of monosaccharides are glucose, glyceraldehyde, pentose, and Erythrose.

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

Classification

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

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