A hydrolysis reaction results in which two of the following?
Water is split apart.
Two molecules are split apart.
Water is formed.
Two molecules are combined.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answers are:
- Water is split apart.
- Two molecules are split apart.
Explanation:
A hydrolysis reaction is a chemical process in which a molecule is broken down into smaller parts by the addition of water. The term “hydrolysis” comes from the Greek words hydro (meaning “water”) and lysis (meaning “to break apart”).
During hydrolysis, a water molecule (H₂O) is used to break the bond between two components of a larger molecule. This reaction typically involves enzymes in biological systems and is crucial for digestion, metabolism, and cellular processes.
For example, in the breakdown of sucrose (a disaccharide) into glucose and fructose:
[
\text{Sucrose} + H₂O \rightarrow \text{Glucose} + \text{Fructose}
]
The water molecule donates a hydroxyl group (-OH) to one part and a hydrogen ion (H⁺) to the other, effectively splitting the bond between them.
Key Aspects of Hydrolysis:
- Breaks Bonds: Hydrolysis reactions break large molecules (polymers) into smaller molecules (monomers).
- Requires Water: Water is consumed in the reaction, helping to split the molecule.
- Common in Digestion: Proteins are hydrolyzed into amino acids, carbohydrates into sugars, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
The opposite of hydrolysis is dehydration synthesis (condensation reaction), where two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, releasing water in the process.
Thus, hydrolysis results in both water being split apart and two molecules being split apart, making these the correct answers.