Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis

Dehydration Synthesis “Dehydration” – loss of water “Synthesis” – to make Water is removed and monomers are covalently bonded. 2 molecules are covalently bonded to each other by a loss of a water molecule Each monomer contributes part of the lost water molecule One monomer gives a hydroxyl group (-OH) The other one a hydrogen (-H)

Hydrolysis: Hydro “water”; lysis “split” Opposite reaction of dehydration synthesis. Polymers are broken down to monomers by hydrolysis Break with water By adding water, the bonds between the monomers break; a hydrogen attaches to one monomer and a hydroxyl attaches to the other