Hydrolysis — Definition, Formula, Properties & Uses | AllChemicals | AllChemicals

What is Hydrolysis?

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which a molecule is cleaved into two parts by the addition of a water molecule, with the hydrogen atom of water attaching to one fragment and the hydroxyl group to the other. It is a fundamental reaction in biochemistry, where enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into their constituent monomers. In inorganic chemistry, hydrolysis of salts can affect solution pH, as weak-acid anions or weak-base cations react with water.

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Term Hydrolysis

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What is Hydrolysis?

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which a molecule is cleaved into two parts by the addition of a water molecule, with the hydrogen atom of water attaching to one fragment and the hydroxyl group to the other. It is a fundamental reaction in biochemistry, where enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into their constituent monomers. In inorganic chemistry, hydrolysis of salts can affect solution pH, as weak-acid anions or weak-base cations react with water.

More "H" Terms

Haber Process N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃ | ΔH = −92 kJ/mol Hafnium Hf Half Cell Half Life Half-Cell E = E° − (RT/nF)lnQ Half-Life A(t) = A₀e^(−λt); t½ = ln2/λ Half-Reaction Halide X⁻ (e.g., F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) Halogen F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, At; Group 17; ns²np⁵ valence configuration Halogenation C-X + Cl₂/Br₂ (hv or AlCl₃) → C-X(halogen); EAS or radical pathway Halogens Hard Acid Hard acid: small, highly charged, low polarisability (e.g., H⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺)

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