When a carbohydrate is formed by linking two monosaccharides through a condensation reaction, the product is a disaccharide plus water. The two monosaccharides are joined by a covalent bond called a glycosidic bond, and one molecule of water is released during this reaction. So, the answer is: linking two monosaccharides by a condensation reaction yields a disaccharide plus water. Key points:
- The bond formed is a glycosidic bond.
- Water (H2O) is released as a byproduct.
- Examples of disaccharides formed this way include maltose, sucrose, and lactose.
This is a classic example of a dehydration or condensation synthesis reaction in carbohydrate chemistry.