Question

c. how many water molecules would be needed to break this amylose down into four glucose molecules? 8. extend your thinking: hydrolysis of the carbohydrates you eat begins in your mouth as you chew. how do you think this process might be affected if a person’s salivary glands were unable to produce saliva, which is mostly composed of water?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand hydrolysis of amylose

Amylose is a polysaccharide. Hydrolysis breaks glycosidic - bonds.

Step2: Determine number of bonds to break

To get 4 glucose molecules from amylose, we need to break 3 glycosidic bonds.

Step3: Relate bonds to water molecules

One water molecule is used per glycosidic - bond break. So 3 water molecules are needed.

for 8:
Saliva contains enzymes (like amylase) and water. Water is a medium for the enzymatic reaction and helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates. Without saliva, the initial hydrolysis of carbohydrates would be severely impaired as there would be no medium for the amylase enzyme to act on the carbohydrates and no means to moisten and break down food particles for better enzymatic access.

Answer:

3