Final answer:
The light-driven splitting of water is known as photolysis, which occurs during photosynthesis to generate oxygen and replace lost electrons in chlorophyll.
Step-by-step explanation:
The light-driven splitting of a water molecule is known as photolysis. This is a biological process that occurs during the light reactions of photosynthesis. When light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, it leads to the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen atoms in a reaction facilitated by an enzyme complex. The electrons released in this process are used to replace those lost by chlorophyll during the light reactions, which helps continue the process of energy production in plants.
In contrast, hydrolysis involves the breaking down of complex macromolecules into their simpler forms by the addition of water. It is a key reaction in metabolism where the bonds within polymers are broken, and each resulting piece is bonded to a part of a split water molecule. A typical example of hydrolysis is the breakdown of ATP to ADP, which releases energy that cells can use.