Lesson Plan

• Describe the mechanism of acid‑catalysed and enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides and disaccharides.
• Distinguish reducing from non‑reducing sugars based on structural features.
• Perform the non‑reducing sugar test (hydrolysis followed by Benedict’s test) and interpret the results.
• Explain how hydrolysis of sucrose produces glucose and fructose, both reducing sugars.
• Apply knowledge of glycosidic bond cleavage to contexts such as digestion and food processing.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation on glycosidic bond hydrolysis
• Sample solutions of sucrose, glucose, and Benedict’s reagent
• Dilute HCl, NaOH, test tubes, water bath or hot plate
• Enzyme source (sucrase) or prepared enzyme solution
• Worksheet with guided questions and data tables
• Safety goggles and lab coats

Begin with a quick demonstration: add a few drops of Benedict’s reagent to a sucrose solution and show the unchanged blue colour. Ask students to recall why sucrose does not react and link this to the concept of non‑reducing sugars. Explain that today they will investigate how hydrolysis converts a non‑reducing sugar into reducing sugars and identify the success criteria.

1. Do‑now (5') – Short quiz on monosaccharide vs disaccharide structures displayed on the board.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Glycosidic bond types, reducing vs non‑reducing sugars, and mechanisms of acid‑catalysed and enzymatic hydrolysis.
3. Guided lab simulation (15') – Video or virtual lab showing acid‑catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose, neutralisation, then addition of Benedict’s reagent; discuss colour change.
4. Hands‑on activity (20') – In groups, students perform the hydrolysis and Benedict’s test with provided reagents, record observations on the worksheet.
5. Check for understanding (5') – Whole‑class clicker poll: “What indicates successful hydrolysis?”
6. Summary discussion (5') – Review key steps and connect to digestion/metabolism.

Recap that hydrolysis breaks the glycosidic bond, generating free carbonyl groups that give a positive Benedict’s test. Ask students to write one sentence on an exit ticket describing how the test confirms the conversion of a non‑reducing sugar to a reducing one. Assign homework to research another carbohydrate (e.g., lactose) and outline how its hydrolysis would be tested.