Question

What are the similarities and differences in the products of hydrolysis of sucrose, maltose and lactose ?

Answer 1

Sucrose, maltose, and lactose are all disaccharides with the molecular formula `"C"_12"H"_22"O"_11"`. They are structural isomers, meaning that they have the same molecular formula, but different structural formulas. As a result of hydrolysis, each disaccharide will be broken down into the two monosaccharides of which it is composed.

All three disaccharides produce the monosaccharide glucose as one of the products of of hydrolysis. However, the second monosaccharide differs between the three.

Sucrose breaks down into one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule. Maltose breaks down into two glucose molecules, and lactose breaks down into one glucose molecule and one galactose molecule.

All of the monosaccharide products from the hydrolysis of sucrose, maltose, and lactose have the same molecular formula, `"C"_6"H"_12"O"_6"`, but they have different structural formulas, and are therefore structural isomers.

HYDROLYSIS OF SUCROSE

HYDROLYSIS OF MALTOSE

HYDROLYSIS OF LACTOSE