The Difference between Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis

Biosynthesis is essential in all living organisms – it is the integration of life. This is organic processes, which involve simple compounds to be modified, joined together or converted into other compounds to form macromolecules. There are two processes that play vital roles in biosynthesis. These are Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis.

Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis both deal with water and other molecules, but in very different ways. Both have a reverse reaction in relation to each other and vice versa. In biology, these processes involve the formation of Polymers, these are molecules covalently linked together. These are formed when water is removed from a chemical equation then monomers (small molecules) bond together. In order to break the bonds, water must be added to the equation. To further understand this, detailed information regarding the difference between hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis is discussed below.

Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis means separating with the use of water. It comes from the Greek word “hydro” which means water, and “lysis” which means separation. When water is added to a molecule, it breaks the H2O bond into H and OH forming separate molecules.

In Chemistry, Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction with water, in which a macromolecule is separated into smaller molecules. On the other hand, in Biology, this process involves water to split polymers into monomers. The bottom line is Hydrolysis occurs when water is added to the equation to break it down or separate it.

In our bodies, Hydrolysis is the main process to release energy. When we eat food, it is digested or broken down into substances so the body can absorb it and convert it to energy. Foods, having complex molecules are broken down into simple molecules. When energy is needed for biosynthesis, ATP is hydrolyzed and stored energy is released for utilization.

Dehydration Synthesis

Dehydration means to take away water, and synthesis means to build or create something. Hence, Dehydration Synthesis is defined as taking away water to build something. This process happens by removing one molecule of –OH (hydroxyl group) and one molecule of -H to form H2O or water. This results in covalently joining two monomers (small molecules) to form a polymer (larger molecule).

Dehydration Synthesis uses condensation in the process and when this continues for a long period of time, a long and complex chain is formed, just like the ones in polysaccharides. It is also is responsible for storing excess glucose molecules as much as larger polysaccharides like starch and glycogen.

Examples of Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis

Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis work the same way with proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids. As mentioned earlier, in the process of Hydrolysis – when water is added, it separates the bond between oxygen and hydrogen and reforms into two separate hydroxyls. In contrast, in the process of Dehydration Synthesis you have a hydroxyl on each side, so if oxygen and two hydrogens are taken out and bind the remaining oxygen to the remaining hydrogen to form a polymer.

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