A biologist isolates a large, unidentified molecule from some cells in his lab.He determines that the macromolecule breaks into smaller pieces with the concomitant loss of water.What reaction has he observed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis is a process in which a large molecule is broken down into smaller molecules by the addition of water molecules. This is what the biologist observed when the macromolecule broke into smaller pieces with the loss of water. Condensation and dehydration reactions are the opposite of hydrolysis, where two or more molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the loss of water.

A Biologist Isolates a Large, Unidentified Molecule from Some Cells