Question

Reactions in which water is used to break apart other molecules are known as _______ known as a. hydrophilic b. hydrophobic c. dehydration d. anabolic e. hydrolysis

Short answer

e. Hydrolysis.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Key Information

From the question, the key point to note is that we're looking for a term that describes reactions where water is used to break apart other molecules.

Review Each Option

Now, going through each option given, we can categorize the options as follows: \n\na. Hydrophilic: molecules that are attracted to water, not the correct term for the given question. \n\nb. Hydrophobic: molecules that repel water, also not the correct term. \n\nc. Dehydration: a process of removing water, not a term for using water to break apart molecules. \n\nd. Anabolic: type of reaction where smaller molecules are combined to form larger ones, again not the correct term. \n\ne. Hydrolysis: a process where water is used to breakdown molecules. This seems like the correct term for the given question.

Confirm the Correct Answer

A closer look at the choice 'e. Hydrolysis' confirms that it is indeed the correct term that represents reactions where water is used to break apart other molecules.

Key concepts

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions are processes that involve the transformation of substances through the breaking and forming of bonds. One such type of reaction is hydrolysis, where water is used to break chemical bonds in a molecule, resulting in smaller components. Hydrolysis is an important chemical reaction that plays a key role in both organic and inorganic chemistry.

• In organic chemistry, it involves the cleavage of bonds such as ester and peptide bonds, where a water molecule supplies an OH- group and an H+ ion to different parts of the molecule.
• Inorganic hydrolysis can involve reactions of water with salts, metals, or nonmetal oxides, affecting their composition and chemical properties.

Understanding chemical reactions like hydrolysis helps in examining the stability of compounds and the energy changes that occur during reactions.

Biological Processes

Hydrolysis is not just a chemical reaction in the laboratory, but also a pivotal biological process. It occurs in the bodies of living organisms to facilitate digestion and metabolism. In biological systems:

• Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, accelerate hydrolysis reactions, making it possible for large biomolecules like proteins, fats, and nucleic acids to be broken down into smaller, more manageable units.
• For example, during digestion, enzymes help break down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, proteins into amino acids, and lipids into fatty acids and glycerol, all via hydrolysis.

This breakdown process is essential for the absorption of nutrients and the overall energy production in living organisms.

Water in Biochemistry

Water is indispensable in biochemistry due to its role in various metabolic and biochemical processes. Its unique properties such as being polar and having high dielectric constant make it an excellent solvent, which is why it plays a critical role in reactions like hydrolysis. In biochemistry:

• The polar nature of water molecules allows them to participate directly in hydrolysis, where they add hydrogen ions ( H^+ ) and hydroxide ions ( OH^- ) to split and stabilize broken bonds in molecules.
• Water’s role as a solvent enables the dissolution and interaction of biomolecules, facilitating biochemical reactions that are necessary for life.

Thus, water not only supports life by being a major component of cells but also actively participates in the biochemical reactions that sustain life.