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.
- Water is split apart.
Explanation:
A hydrolysis reaction is a chemical process in which water is used to break a bond in a molecule, leading to the separation of two smaller molecules. The term “hydrolysis” comes from “hydro-” meaning water, and “-lysis” meaning to split. This reaction is common in biological processes such as digestion and the breakdown of polymers into monomers.
In a typical hydrolysis reaction, a molecule, often a polymer or a large molecule, is cleaved by the addition of a water molecule. The water molecule is split into H+ (a hydrogen ion) and OH- (a hydroxyl ion), which are then added to the ends of the bond being broken in the molecule.
Here is a breakdown of how the hydrolysis reaction works:
- Water is split apart:
- Water is involved in the reaction but is not consumed in its entirety. The water molecule splits into two parts—hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions. These ions help break the bond in the molecule being hydrolyzed.
- Two molecules are split apart:
- The main purpose of the hydrolysis reaction is to break a larger molecule into two smaller molecules. The water molecule adds to the original molecule, cleaving the bond and creating two separate molecules. For example, in the hydrolysis of a disaccharide like sucrose, it is split into glucose and fructose.
Why the other choices are incorrect:
- Water is formed: This happens in a condensation reaction, which is the opposite of hydrolysis. In condensation, two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, with water as a byproduct. This is not the case in hydrolysis.
- Two molecules are combined: Again, this refers to condensation, not hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, two molecules are split apart, not joined.
Hydrolysis is essential in many biological processes, such as digestion and cellular metabolism, where large molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids are broken down into smaller, more manageable units for the body to use.