Describe hydrolysis.

Describe hydrolysis.

• A. Water is added to macromolecules to form larger polymers.
• B. Polymers are formed by removing water in a condensation reaction.
• C. Water is removed to split polymers into monomers.
• D. Water is added to macromolecules and splits them into monomers.

Answer: (D)

Hydrolysis is a reaction where water is added to a large molecule to break covalent bonds, splitting it into smaller units. In biology this is how polymers like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into monomers: a water molecule provides a hydrogen to one fragment and a hydroxyl group to the other, effectively cutting the bonds that hold the units together. This is the opposite of dehydration synthesis, where polymers form by removing water. So the description that best fits hydrolysis is that water is added to macromolecules and splits them into monomers. For example, adding water to a disaccharide yields two monosaccharides.

Hydrolysis is a reaction where water is added to a large molecule to break covalent bonds, splitting it into smaller units. In biology this is how polymers like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into monomers: a water molecule provides a hydrogen to one fragment and a hydroxyl group to the other, effectively cutting the bonds that hold the units together. This is the opposite of dehydration synthesis, where polymers form by removing water. So the description that best fits hydrolysis is that water is added to macromolecules and splits them into monomers. For example, adding water to a disaccharide yields two monosaccharides.