hydrolyze
/'haidrəlaiz/
Definition
- Verb:
- To undergo hydrolysis; to decompose by reacting with water: The chemical process in which a compound is broken down into simpler components through a reaction with water molecules.
Usage
- Verb:
- This verb describes a specific chemical reaction. It is typically used in scientific, biochemical, or industrial contexts.
- It can be used in both transitive (with a direct object) and intransitive (without a direct object) forms, though the intransitive use is more common in the passive voice.
Examples
- Verb:
- In the digestive system, enzymes help to hydrolyze complex carbohydrates into simple sugars.
- The compound will hydrolyze if left in an aqueous solution for an extended period.
- The researchers hydrolyzed the protein sample to analyze its amino acid composition.
Advanced Usage
- "to be hydrolyzed": The common passive form, indicating that a substance has undergone hydrolysis.
- Starch is hydrolyzed into glucose during digestion.
- "hydrolyzing agent": A substance (like an acid, base, or enzyme) that causes hydrolysis.
- Sulfuric acid acts as a hydrolyzing agent in this reaction.
Variants and Related Words
- Hydrolysis (n): The chemical process itself.
- The hydrolysis of sucrose yields glucose and fructose.
- Hydrolyzable (adj): Capable of being hydrolyzed.
- This polymer is hydrolyzable under basic conditions.
- Hydrolytic (adj): Relating to or causing hydrolysis.
- The enzyme has strong hydrolytic activity.
Synonyms
- Decompose (by water): To break down through reaction with water.
- Cleave (chemically): To split a chemical bond, often through hydrolysis.
Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
(This word is a scientific term and does not commonly form phrasal verbs in everyday English. Its usage is primarily in fixed technical contexts.)
Related Idioms
(This is a technical term and is not used in idiomatic expressions.)
Verb
-
undergo hydrolysis; decompose by reacting with water
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