The breakdown of large molecules by the enzymatic addition of water is an example of what kind of reaction?

1 Answer
Jul 25, 2018

It is hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, larger molecules, such as polymers, are broken down into their monomers by the action of an enzyme and the addition of a water molecule.

Explanation:

The diagram below shows the hydrolysis of the disaccharide sucrose (table sugar) by the action of the enzyme sucrase.

http://patakaa.blogspot.com/2012/01/sucrose-enzyme.html

The diagram below shows the hydrolysis of the polysaccharide starch into the disaccharide maltose by the action of the enzyme amylase.

https://commons.wikimedia.org

The following diagram shows the hydrolysis of the disaccharide maltose into two monosaccharide glucose molecules by the action of maltase.

https://www.slideshare.net/tanjiapei/chapter-4-nutrition-2011