[Campbell Biology P.116] Which of the following statements accurately describes the relation... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between dehydration reactions and hydrolysis?

  • A: Dehydration reactions add water to break down polymers, while hydrolysis removes water to synthesize them.
  • B: Both dehydration reactions and hydrolysis synthesize polymers by removing water molecules.
  • C: Dehydration reactions synthesize polymers by removing water, and hydrolysis breaks down polymers by adding water.
  • D: Both dehydration reactions and hydrolysis break down polymers by adding water molecules.

Explanation

The text states: 'If a water molecule is lost, it is known as a dehydration reaction' for synthesis, and 'Polymers are disassembled to monomers by hydrolysis, a process that is essentially the reverse of the dehydration reaction Figure 5.2b . Hydrolysis means water breakage... The bond between monomers is broken by the addition of a water molecule'. Therefore, dehydration synthesizes by removing water, and hydrolysis breaks down by adding water.