Question

Cellobiose, a disaccharide obtained by the hydrolysis of cellulose, is composed of two glucose units joined together in a $\mathbf{1}\mathbf{\to }\mathbf{4}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{\beta }\mathbf{-}$ glycoside bond. What is the structure of cellobiose?

Short answer

Answer

Cellobiose

Step-by-step solution

Cellulose

Many glucose units combine and form the plant polysaccharide cellulose. Cellulose on hydrolysis forms a disaccharide unit that is cellobiose.

Disaccharide

The name “di” indicates two. Saccharide means carbohydrate. So two monosaccharide units combine and form a disaccharide. Example: Cellobiose, sucrose, maltose etc.

Cellobiose

The structure of cellobiose consists of two glucose units joined by $1\to 4-\mathrm{\beta }$glycoside bond. It exists in the pyranose ring. Its structure is as shown below:

Cellobiose