Which statement about hydrolysis is incorrect?

Which statement about hydrolysis is incorrect?

• A. It uses water to break bonds in a polymer
• B. It produces monomers when polymers are broken
• C. It can be catalyzed by acids or enzymes
• D. It releases water as a product

Answer: (D)

Hydrolysis is a reaction where water breaks bonds in a polymer to yield smaller units, typically monomers. Water is consumed in the process, being added across the bond to split it, so the products incorporate parts of the water molecule. This reaction can be catalyzed by acids or by enzymes (hydrolases) that speed up the addition of water to the bond. Therefore, the idea that water is released as a product is incorrect—releasing water happens in dehydration synthesis, not hydrolysis. For example, the hydrolysis of a disaccharide with water produces two monosaccharides, and digestion of proteins with proteases yields amino acids, all in the presence of water.

Hydrolysis is a reaction where water breaks bonds in a polymer to yield smaller units, typically monomers. Water is consumed in the process, being added across the bond to split it, so the products incorporate parts of the water molecule. This reaction can be catalyzed by acids or by enzymes (hydrolases) that speed up the addition of water to the bond. Therefore, the idea that water is released as a product is incorrect—releasing water happens in dehydration synthesis, not hydrolysis. For example, the hydrolysis of a disaccharide with water produces two monosaccharides, and digestion of proteins with proteases yields amino acids, all in the presence of water.