Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are carbohydrates formed by the condensation of two monosaccharide units, linked by a glycosidic bond. They play a crucial role in energy storage and supply in living organisms. Understanding the structure and function of disaccharides, such as α-cellobiose and maltose, is essential for studying carbohydrate chemistry.
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Glycosidic Bonds
Glycosidic bonds are covalent linkages that connect monosaccharides to form disaccharides and polysaccharides. The type of glycosidic bond, such as α(1→4) or β(1→4), determines the properties and digestibility of the carbohydrate. In the case of α-cellobiose, the β(1→4) bond influences its structural characteristics and biological functions.
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Haworth Structure
The Haworth structure is a cyclic representation of monosaccharides and disaccharides that illustrates their ring forms. This model helps visualize the orientation of hydroxyl groups and the anomeric carbon, which is crucial for understanding the reactivity and properties of sugars. Drawing the Haworth structure for α-cellobiose will clarify its molecular configuration and functional groups.
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