Here's why:
* Disaccharides are carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharides (simple sugars).
* Monosaccharides have the general formula (CH₂O)n, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms.
* When two monosaccharides combine, they lose one water molecule (H₂O).
This means the ratio of hydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms remains approximately 2:1, even after the formation of the disaccharide.
Example:
Consider sucrose, a common disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose:
* Glucose: C₆H₁₂O₆ (2:1 ratio of H:O)
* Fructose: C₆H₁₂O₆ (2:1 ratio of H:O)
When they combine to form sucrose, one water molecule is lost:
* Sucrose: C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ (approximately 2:1 ratio of H:O)
Important Note: While the ratio is approximately 2:1, there might be slight variations depending on the specific disaccharide. However, the overall ratio remains close to 2:1.
