Final answer:
Disaccharide is a term combining the prefix 'di-' meaning 'two' and the stem 'saccharide', which refers to sugar, indicating a molecule composed of two monosaccharides bonded through dehydration synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term disaccharide is composed of a prefix and a stem. The prefix 'di-' means 'two' or 'double'. The stem 'saccharide' refers to a sugar molecule. So, a disaccharide is a type of carbohydrate consisting of two monosaccharides bonded together. This bonding occurs through a dehydration synthesis reaction that forms a glycosidic bond and results in the elimination of a water molecule (H2O).
Three common disaccharides are sucrose, lactose, and maltose. These are important in our diet, but our bodies cannot utilize them directly. Instead, they must be broken down into monosaccharides by hydrolysis in the digestive tract before the body can use them. The general formula for unmodified disaccharides is C12H22O11.