🧪 4.3 – Condensation (Synthesis) and Hydrolysis (Breakdown)
Living things not only build large molecules—they also break them down. Let’s look at how:
🧱 Condensation Reaction (Building with Water Removal)
🧩 What Happens?
- Small molecules (monomers) join to make large molecules (polymers).
- Water is removed in this process, so it’s also called dehydration synthesis.
- An –OH (hydroxyl) group from one molecule and an H (hydrogen) from another come off → forms H₂O.
📚 Example:
- Two glucose molecules combine to form maltose, releasing water.
🛠️ Analogy:
- Like joining Lego bricks together by removing glue caps (water) from the ends so they can stick.
💧 Hydrolysis Reaction (Breaking with Water Addition)
💥 What Happens?
- Large molecules (polymers) are broken down into smaller ones (monomers).
- Water is added back in—breaking the bond between the monomers.
📚 Example:
- Maltose breaks into two glucose molecules when a water molecule is added.
🛠️ Analogy:
- Like soaking glued papers in water to separate them.
🧠 Mnemonic:
“Condensation Constructs, Hydrolysis Hacks!”
- Condensation → builds molecules
- Hydrolysis → breaks them down