hydrolyses
Breaks with water
Hydrolyses is the plural of hydrolysis—a chemical reaction where water breaks apart another compound.
The water molecule splits, with its hydrogen and hydroxyl components attaching to the fragments of the broken substance.
Hydrolysis is fundamental in digestion, where enzymes hydrolyse proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into absorbable units.
Reaction-speeding proteins
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
- nucleic acidsBiopolymers carrying genetic code
polysaccharides · amino acids · ATP · metabolism · digestion · catabolism · cellular respiration · glycolysis
Clear essential liquid
- aqueousPertaining to liquid solutions
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- catalystAgent enabling change
pH · ions · hydroxide · cleavage · dissociation · reactants · products · equilibrium
Protein-cleaving enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
- peptidaseBond-cleaving enzyme
- nucleaseDNA-cleaving enzyme
phosphatase · lactase · sucrase · maltase · esterase · active site · catalysis · cofactor
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- biofuelsFuel from living matter
- textile processingConverting fibers to cloth
leather tanning · detergents · glycerol · fatty acids · brewing · fermentation · food processing · waste treatment
Failure or decomposition
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- degradationDecline in condition
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
depolymerization · aging · instability · deterioration · chemical breakdown
enzymes
Reaction-speeding proteins
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- carbohydratesSugar-based energy compounds
nucleic acids · polysaccharides · amino acids · ATP · metabolism · digestion · catabolism · cellular respiration · glycolysis · substrates
water
Clear essential liquid
catalyst · pH · ions · hydroxide · cleavage · dissociation · reactants · products · equilibrium · reversible
protease
Protein-cleaving enzyme
nuclease · phosphatase · lactase · sucrase · maltase · esterase · active site · catalysis · cofactor · zymogen
saponification
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
textile processing · leather tanning · detergents · glycerol · fatty acids · brewing · fermentation · food processing · waste treatment · sugar refining
breakdown
Failure or decomposition
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- degradationDecline in condition
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
biodegradation · depolymerization · aging · instability · deterioration · chemical breakdown
hydrolysescondensation
Vapor turning to liquid
dehydrates · polymerizes · synthesizes · condenses · polymerization
- alkaline hydrolysisBase-catalyzed molecular breakdown