What type of bond is formed between two glucose molecules when a disaccharide is created?

When two glucose molecules combine to form a disaccharide, such as maltose, they undergo a specific type of covalent bond formation known as a glycosidic bond. This bond is established through a dehydration synthesis reaction, during which a hydroxyl group from one glucose molecule and a hydrogen atom from the other are removed, resulting in the release of a water molecule. The remaining oxygen atom forms a linkage between the two glucose units, thereby creating a glycosidic bond.

This bond fundamentally involves covalent interactions, as it links the two monosaccharides through the sharing of electrons. The glycosidic bond is essential for the formation of disaccharides and polysaccharides, allowing for the storage and transport of energy in biological systems. This specificity in terminology distinguishes glycosidic bonds from other types of chemical bonds, such as ionic or hydrogen bonds, which do not participate in the formation of carbohydrates in this context.