Final answer:
The statement is false: Dietary fiber consists of non-starch polysaccharides, not disaccharides, and includes components like cellulose and resistant starch.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that dietary fiber is the general term for the carbohydrate disaccharides in plant cells and that they are resistant to digestive enzymes is false. Dietary fiber consists of non-starch polysaccharides and other plant components, including cellulose, resistant starch, resistant dextrins, inulin, lignins, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans, and oligosaccharides. These fibers are indeed resistant to digestive enzymes produced by humans, but they are not disaccharides—they are long chains of sugars.
Fiber plays a crucial role in the diet by providing bulk to the digestive system and aiding the passage of food, as well as by absorbing unhealthy substances such as cholesterol to prevent them from entering the bloodstream. Fiber does not provide energy like other carbohydrates but is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive tract and may help reduce the risk of certain diseases including heart disease and some forms of cancer.