Question

question 10 (10 points) a biologist isolates a large, unidentified molecule from some cells in his lab. he determines that the macromolecule breaks into smaller pieces with the concomitant loss of water from the reactants; thus added to products. what reaction has he observed? hydrolysis condensation dehydration polymerization

Explanation:

• Hydrolysis: Breaks macromolecules by adding water (water is a reactant, not a product).
• Condensation: Joins smaller molecules into larger ones, releasing water (opposite of the described reaction).
• Dehydration: This term is sometimes used interchangeably with condensation for building molecules, not breaking them.
• Hydrolysis is the correct reaction: it breaks large macromolecules into smaller subunits, with water being consumed from reactants and incorporated into the products.

Answer:

hydrolysis