What is the difference between dehydration synthesis reaction and a hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 1

Condensation is a chemical process by which 2 molecules are joined together to make a larger, more complex, molecule, with the loss of water.
It is the basis for the synthesis of all the important biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) from their simpler sub-units.

It is important not to get condensation and hydrolysis muddled up, as they are in fact opposite processes! Condensation is so called because the product is drawn together from two other substances, in effect getting smaller by losing water. It does not give off water to condense and run down the window!

In all cases of condensation, molecules with projecting -H atoms are linked to other molecules with projecting -OH groups, producing H2O, ( H.OH ) also known as water, which then moves away from the original molecules.

A-H + B-OH --> A-B + H2O

Answer 2

In a dehydration synthesis, molecules bond together through the lose of water molecules. In a hydrolysis reaction, a molecule is broken down by the addition of water. Refer to the related links for illustrations.

Answer 3

In a condensation reaction monomers link to form polymers through a chemical reaction. In a hydrolysis reaction water is used to break down a polymer.

Answer 4

A condensation reaction produces water, while a hydrolysis reaction uses water as a reactant.

Answer 5

Condensation systhesis makes polymers and hydrolysis breaks them down