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:
Water is split apart.
Two molecules are split apart.
Explanation:
A hydrolysis reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which a water molecule is used to break a bond within another molecule, resulting in the splitting of that molecule into two smaller molecules or parts. The term “hydrolysis” literally means “splitting with water” (from Greek hydro = water, lysis = to split or break).
Here’s a detailed explanation of what happens in a hydrolysis reaction:
- Water molecule involvement: In hydrolysis, a water molecule (H₂O) is split into its components—typically a hydrogen ion (H⁺) and a hydroxide ion (OH⁻). These ions then interact with the molecule that is being broken down.
- Breaking a bond: The hydrogen ion (H⁺) from the water attaches to one part of the split molecule, and the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) attaches to the other part. This effectively breaks the original molecule into two smaller molecules.
- Example: A common biological example of hydrolysis is the breakdown of polymers such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids into their monomer units. For instance, during digestion, the hydrolysis of a disaccharide like sucrose produces two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. Here, the sucrose molecule is split apart, and water is consumed in the process.
- Contrast with condensation (dehydration) reaction: Hydrolysis is the reverse of a condensation or dehydration reaction, where two molecules combine and release water. In condensation, two smaller molecules combine to form a larger molecule, releasing a water molecule as a byproduct. In hydrolysis, water is consumed to break the larger molecule apart.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- Water is formed: This describes a condensation or dehydration reaction, not hydrolysis.
- Two molecules are combined: This also refers to condensation, where two molecules join together.
Summary:
In hydrolysis, water is split apart, and two molecules are split apart because the water molecule provides the necessary components (H⁺ and OH⁻) to break the bonds within the larger molecule, resulting in smaller molecules. This reaction is essential in biological systems for breaking down complex molecules into simpler, absorbable units.