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 (300 words):
A hydrolysis reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water. The term hydrolysis comes from the Greek words hydro (water) and lysis (to break), which literally means “breaking with water.”
In this process, a water molecule (H₂O) is split into a hydrogen ion (H⁺) and a hydroxide ion (OH⁻). These ions then interact with the components of the larger molecule to help break it apart into two smaller molecules. This is the opposite of a condensation or dehydration synthesis reaction, where water is formed and two molecules are combined.
Key Points:
- Water is split apart: In hydrolysis, water is not a byproduct but a reactant. It is used to help break chemical bonds, specifically covalent bonds like those in proteins, carbohydrates, or nucleic acids.
- Two molecules are split apart: A single larger molecule is cleaved into two or more smaller fragments. For example:
- In the digestion of proteins, enzymes add water to break peptide bonds between amino acids.
- In the breakdown of polysaccharides like starch, water helps split glycosidic bonds between sugar units.
Example:
When sucrose (a disaccharide) undergoes hydrolysis, it breaks into glucose and fructose:
Sucrose + H₂O → Glucose + Fructose
Here, the water molecule is split and the parts are added to each sugar, separating them.
In summary, hydrolysis reactions split water and split larger molecules, making them essential in digestion and metabolism across all forms of life.
