Biology / Unit 1 Bio 0187 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Hydrolysis
Captions available
The idea
Hydrolysis breaks a covalent bond between two smaller units by adding a water molecule across it, splitting one larger molecule into two.
In practice
An enzyme in saliva hydrolyzes starch, adding water across its bonds to release smaller sugars the body can absorb.
Where people slip
Hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis reverse each other — one releases water to build, the other adds water to break apart.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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