Question

What monosaccharides are in maltose?

Answer 1

Hint: Monosaccharides have a number of isomeric forms as each hydroxyl supporting carbon atom is chiral.

Complete answer:
Monosaccharides are the basic monomeric units of carbohydrates. They are also called simple sugars. The general formula of monosaccharides is: $C_{n}H_{2n}O_{n}$. Monosaccharides are generally colorless, crystalline and water-soluble solids. Monosaccharides are sugars but only a few monosaccharides taste sweet.
A few examples of monosaccharides include:
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
Monosaccharides being the most basic units are the building blocks for disaccharides and polysaccharides. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of two monosaccharides, Glucose and Fructose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide made up of thousands of linkages of glucose.
Monosaccharides are a key element in metabolic reactions like glycolysis and citric acid cycle. Some monosaccharides can be converted into glucose as a source of energy.
Maltose is a disaccharide made up of two units of glucose. The two units of glucose are joined by 𝛼(1→4) bonds. The two glucose units are joined by 𝛼(1→6) bonds in the case of the isomer isomaltose. Maltose is a key structure of starch by being the two unit member of the amylose homologous series. Maltose is produced due to the breakdown of starch by alpha amylase. The alpha amylase removes two glucose units from starch, creating maltose. Maltose is a reducing sugar.

Note:
Monosaccharides produce and store energy in the body. Glucose can be broken down to create energy which is harvested by organisms for sustenance. Long monosaccharides are used to form cellular structures.