hydrolyze
Cleave with water
To hydrolyze is to break down a compound by chemical reaction with water.
The process splits molecules by inserting water across chemical bonds: Enzymes in saliva hydrolyze starches into sugars.
Hydrolysis is fundamental to digestion, where complex molecules are broken into absorbable components.
The noun is hydrolysis; the adjective is hydrolytic.
Protein-cleaving enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
- nucleaseDNA-cleaving enzyme
- peptidaseBond-cleaving enzyme
esterase · phosphatase · lactase · sucrase · maltase · trypsin · pepsin · hydrolase
Digestive organ below chest
- gastricOf the stomach
- intestinalOf the gut
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- nutrientsVital dietary substances
saliva · amylase · lipase · protease · chyme · pepsin · duodenum · pancreatic
Enzyme cleaving via water
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- peptide bondAmino acid connection
ester bond · active site · saponification · cofactor · kinetics · mechanism · inhibition · cleavage
Clear essential liquid
- aqueousPertaining to liquid solutions
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- catalystAgent enabling change
pH · ion · reactant · product · equilibrium · reversible · condensation · cleavage
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
biomass · fermentation · textile · leather tanning · detergent · surfactant · glycerin · waste treatment
protease
Protein-cleaving enzyme
peptidase · esterase · phosphatase · lactase · sucrase · maltase · trypsin · pepsin · hydrolase
stomach
Digestive organ below chest
- gastricOf the stomach
- intestinalOf the gut
- absorptionProcess of taking in
nutrients · saliva · amylase · lipase · protease · chyme · pepsin · duodenum · pancreatic · bile
hydrolase
Enzyme cleaving via water
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
peptide bond · ester bond · active site · saponification · cofactor · kinetics · mechanism · inhibition · cleavage · aqueous
water
Clear essential liquid
catalyst · pH · ion · reactant · product · equilibrium · reversible · condensation · cleavage · bond breaking
saponification
Fat-alkali reaction making soap
cellulose · biomass · fermentation · textile · leather tanning · detergent · surfactant · glycerin · waste treatment · depolymerization
hydrolyzecondense
Make more compact
polymerize · synthesize · dehydrate · esterify · anabolize
- alkaline hydrolysisBase-catalyzed molecular breakdown