Question

Write a difference between monosaccharides and oligosaccharides. Give an example for each.

Answer 1

Monosaccharides –

i.    a monosaccharide is a single sugar molecule. Example – sugar.

ii.    A monosaccharide is the basic unit of sugar. It further joins and makes other sugar elements.

Oligosaccharides –

i.   oligosaccharides are formed when two to six monosaccharides. Example – sucrose, lactose, raffinose.

ii.    Oligosaccharides are further classified into disaccharides, trisaccharide etc. based on the number of monosaccharide combining together.