What type of molecule is formed when two monosaccharides bond together?

When two monosaccharides bond together, they form a disaccharide. This bonding occurs through a chemical reaction known as dehydration synthesis or condensation reaction, where a water molecule is released as the two sugar units combine. Disaccharides have specific names based on the monosaccharides involved; for example, sucrose is formed from glucose and fructose, and lactose is formed from glucose and galactose.

The formation of disaccharides is significant as they serve as important energy sources and building blocks for more complex carbohydrates in biological systems. Understanding the role of disaccharides helps clarify how carbohydrates function in living organisms, including their impact on energy metabolism and storage.

Other options represent different types of biological macromolecules: fatty acids are components of lipids, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and nucleotides are the basic structural units of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. These molecules play distinct roles in biological processes but do not form from the direct combination of monosaccharides.