Final answer:
Biopolymer synthesis relies on condensation, also known as dehydration synthesis, where monomers join and release water molecules. Hydrolysis is the opposite process, breaking polymers into monomers using water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The synthesis of biopolymers involves the joining of monomers into polymers through a type of chemical reaction known as condensation or dehydration synthesis. In this process, each time a monomer is added to the polymer chain, a molecule of water is released. This type of reaction is crucial for the formation of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and complex carbohydrates. For instance, during the formation of a peptide bond that links amino acids in a protein, a molecule of water is lost as a byproduct.
Conversely, when biopolymers are broken down into monomers, the process is known as hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, a water molecule is used to break the bonds holding monomers together. This is the opposite reaction of dehydration synthesis and is commonly involved in the digestion of food to make nutrients available to the body.