Final answer:
Nucleic acids, proteins, and complex carbohydrates are produced by dehydration synthesis, an anabolic process where monomers join together by losing water molecules. The correct option is B) dehydration synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nucleic acids, proteins, and complex carbohydrates are all produced by dehydration synthesis. This process occurs when two monomers are joined together through the removal of a water molecule, forming covalent bonds to create larger polymers like proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.
Such reactions are categorized as anabolic and involve an investment of energy to form these new bonds. Dehydration synthesis is critical for building the complex structures needed for life, as it enables the creation of large macromolecules from smaller ones, which play essential roles in various biological functions.
In contrast, hydrolysis is the process that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule, which is a catabolic reaction that releases energy. The correct option is B) dehydration synthesis.