Question

c. how many water molecules would be needed to break this amylose down into four glucose molecules?

1. 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 principle

Hydrolysis of amylose to glucose requires one water molecule for each glycosidic - bond break. To get 4 glucose molecules from amylose, 3 glycosidic - bonds need to be broken.

Step2: Determine number of water molecules

Since one water molecule is used per bond - break, 3 water molecules are needed.

for second part:
Saliva contains water and enzymes like amylase that initiate carbohydrate hydrolysis. Without saliva, there would be no water to facilitate the hydrolysis reaction and no amylase to catalyze the breakdown of carbohydrates. So, the hydrolysis of carbohydrates in the mouth would be severely impaired or not occur at all.

Answer:

3