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Glite Dictionary
hydrolysis

hydrolysis

1 7.4
A process in which water breaks a substance into smaller parts that become new substances
  • noun
  • /haɪˈdrɒlɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hidrolisis
  • A labeled Hoxa-11 probe was subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to obtain optimal signals.
  • hydrolysis of ATP
  • acid hydrolysis
  • hydrolysis of anhydride

Examples

  • In the laboratory, scientists studied the process of hydrolysis to understand how water can break down complex molecules.

  • A number of experiments were carried out to prove the polarity effect on hydrolysis.

    Academic text (2001)

  • A goal is to complete the acid hydrolysis phase within 2 minutes.

    Academic text (1996)

  • This is an alkaline hydrolysis machine.

    SuperFly (2018)

  • Conventional methods to improve digestibility have included hydrolysis, chemical, and enzymatic processing.

    Academic text (2018)

  • So I think as we all know, proteases catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds.

  • The rate of hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate defines this property of composts and amended soils.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Carboxylesterase 1 is a serine esterase, responsible for the hydrolysis of ester- and amide-bond-containing substrates, including xenobiotics and drugs.

    Academic text (2018)

  • In its simplest form, the LD regulates the storage and hydrolysis of neutral lipids, including triacylglycerol and/or cholesterol esters.

    Blog text (27)

  • The hydrolysis of starch during digestion produces glucose, which the body uses for energy.

Synonyms

decomposition reaction
vshydrolysis
  • Specialized
6.3

A reaction where one compound breaks into two or more simpler substances

is the same breakdown but specifically caused by water splitting bonds
chemical decomposition reaction
vshydrolysis
  • Specialized
4.3

A chemical reaction where one compound breaks into two or more different substances

is the same reaction type but specifically uses water to split bonds

Surface Forms

hydrolysis singular
hydrolyses plural

Morphology

hydrolysis = lysis (opaque) = hydro + lysis

The word is built from the combining form hydro- and lysis, but the result is a specialized scientific term that most B1 learners would not be able to infer confidently.

Etymology

The word hydrolysis comes from the Greek parts hydro- meaning 'water' and -lysis meaning 'to break'. So hydrolysis is literally 'water breaking', and it describes a chemical reaction where water splits a compound into smaller parts.