In hydrolysis, what occurs at the molecular level?

In hydrolysis, what occurs at the molecular level?

• A. A molecule of water is added to a substance
• B. No water is involved
• C. Water is removed
• D. A molecule of water is split into hydrogen and oxygen

Answer: (A)

Hydrolysis involves a water molecule participating to break a bond in a larger molecule. At the molecular level, the water donates a hydrogen atom to one fragment and a hydroxide group to the other, causing the original bond to cleave and yielding two smaller molecules. This is why water is essential to hydrolysis—the substrate is split by the addition of H and OH from water. The idea that no water is involved would describe a different type of reaction, while dehydration synthesis is the opposite process where water is removed to join two molecules. The notion that water is simply split into hydrogen and oxygen describes another context (like electrolysis); in hydrolysis, water is consumed to break bonds, not split into gases.

Hydrolysis involves a water molecule participating to break a bond in a larger molecule. At the molecular level, the water donates a hydrogen atom to one fragment and a hydroxide group to the other, causing the original bond to cleave and yielding two smaller molecules. This is why water is essential to hydrolysis—the substrate is split by the addition of H and OH from water. The idea that no water is involved would describe a different type of reaction, while dehydration synthesis is the opposite process where water is removed to join two molecules. The notion that water is simply split into hydrogen and oxygen describes another context (like electrolysis); in hydrolysis, water is consumed to break bonds, not split into gases.