What type of bond forms when monosaccharides link together to create disaccharides?

Monosaccharides, which are simple sugars, can link together to form disaccharides through a specific type of bond known as glycosidic bonds. This process involves a dehydration reaction, where a molecule of water is removed to allow the hydroxyl (–OH) group of one monosaccharide to bond with the anomeric carbon of another monosaccharide.

The glycosidic bond is critical for forming carbohydrate structures; it defines the linkage between sugar units and determines the characteristics of the resulting disaccharide. For instance, in sucrose, glucose and fructose are joined by a glycosidic bond, creating a compound with unique functional properties.

Understanding the type of bond formed during this process is fundamental to grasping how carbohydrates are constructed and behave chemically, which is essential knowledge in the field of biochemistry and related disciplines.