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 answer is: Two molecules are split apart.
Explanation:
A hydrolysis reaction is a chemical reaction in which water is used to break bonds in a molecule. It involves the addition of a water molecule to break a bond between two parts of a larger molecule, leading to the formation of two smaller molecules.
The term “hydrolysis” comes from two Greek words: “hydro,” meaning water, and “lysis,” meaning to break. In a hydrolysis reaction, water plays a key role in breaking the bonds between molecules, splitting them into smaller parts. For example, in the breakdown of a disaccharide (such as sucrose) into its monosaccharide components (glucose and fructose), water is added to break the glycosidic bond between the sugar units.
This process is crucial in biological systems. Enzymes such as amylase in the digestive system perform hydrolysis reactions to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into their component molecules (like sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids), which the body can then absorb and use.
In a hydrolysis reaction:
- Water is used to break bonds, but water is not split into its individual components (hydrogen and oxygen). Instead, it is added to a molecule, causing it to split.
- The two molecules are split apart, as the bond between them is broken by the water molecule, resulting in two separate smaller molecules.
What the other options mean:
- “Water is split apart” refers to decomposition reactions like those in electrolysis, where water is broken into hydrogen and oxygen. This is not the case in hydrolysis.
- “Water is formed” would apply to condensation reactions, where two molecules combine, and water is released as a byproduct.
- “Two molecules are combined” would be part of a synthesis reaction or condensation reaction, not a hydrolysis reaction.
Thus, the correct answer reflects the essential characteristic of a hydrolysis reaction: breaking down a larger molecule into smaller parts by adding water.
