The diagram below shows the formation of the disaccharide maltose, which occurs when two molecules of glucose undergo a dehydration reaction:

Image depicts two molecules of a glucose undergoing a dehydration reaction to form a molecule of maltose and water.


a. Describe the composition of carbohydrates and explain why they are a necessary part of your diet.
b. Describe how the maltose would be affected if the subcomponents were joined by 1–6 linkages instead. Predict how this might affect the function of the resulting molecule.