Final answer:
Hydrolysis is the process of breaking down a polysaccharide into glucose molecules by using a water molecule to split the bonds. This catabolic reaction is essential for the digestion of carbohydrates and is an example of how polysaccharides hydrolyze to monosaccharides.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of breaking a polysaccharide into separate glucose molecules is called hydrolysis. This reaction occurs when a water molecule is used to split the bonds between the monomers in the polymer. Specifically, in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates, polysaccharides hydrolyze to monosaccharides. This means that each bond between monomers in the polysaccharide chain is broken, with the parts of water molecule (a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group) being added to the ends of the now-separated monomers.
As an example, the hydrolysis of maltose into two glucose molecules includes the addition of a water molecule, which is broken into H+ and OH- that bind to the glucose monomers. This reaction is essential in the digestion of carbohydrates, making it a catabolic process, as it breaks down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process.