Final answer:
Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that forms a covalent bond between two monomers releasing water as a byproduct, while hydrolysis is the breakdown of a polymer into monomers using water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis Reactions
Dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis are chemical reactions that involve the creation or consumption of water molecules and are essential in the synthesis of macromolecules. Dehydration synthesis, also known as a condensation reaction, occurs when two monomers bond covalently by releasing a molecule of water as a byproduct. This involves one monomer contributing a hydrogen (H) atom and the other a hydroxyl group (OH), resulting in the formation of a covalent bond and the release of water.
An example of dehydration synthesis is the formation of a peptide bond between two amino acids to form a dipeptide, with water expelled during the process. Conversely, hydrolysis reactions are the opposite, in which a polymer is broken down into its monomers by the addition of water, effectively splitting the bond between the monomers. Example: Sucrose (table sugar) undergoing hydrolysis to break down into glucose and fructose in the presence of water, with a water molecule being consumed.