noun
- a chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down by reaction with water, typically producing two or more simpler substances
Usage: chemistry term; commonly used in biochemistry and organic chemistry
Examples
- The hydrolysis of sucrose produces glucose and fructose.
- Enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins into amino acids during digestion.
- In the lab, we studied the hydrolysis of esters using acid catalysts.
- Water molecules break chemical bonds during hydrolysis.
- The hydrolysis of ATP releases energy that cells use for various functions.