What is the primary result of a dehydration synthesis reaction on carbohydrates?

• A. It converts carbohydrates into lipids.
• B. It forms disaccharides or polysaccharides by removing $H_{2}O$.
• C. It adds $H_{2}O$ to carbohydrates to form simpler sugars.
• D. It breaks down carbohydrates into monosaccharides.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of dehydration synthesis: This is a chemical reaction where two molecules are joined together with the removal of a water molecule. In the context of carbohydrates, this typically involves the formation of glycosidic bonds.
2. Identify the reactants: In carbohydrate dehydration synthesis, the reactants are typically monosaccharides, which are simple sugars like glucose or fructose.
3. Recognize the process: During dehydration synthesis, a hydroxyl group (OH) from one monosaccharide and a hydrogen atom (H) from another monosaccharide are removed, forming a water molecule (H₂O).
4. Form the product: The removal of water allows the remaining oxygen atom to form a covalent bond between the two monosaccharides, resulting in a disaccharide or polysaccharide.
5. Summarize the outcome: The primary result of dehydration synthesis in carbohydrates is the formation of larger carbohydrate molecules, such as disaccharides or polysaccharides, through the removal of water.