verb
- to break down a chemical compound by reaction with water, typically with the aid of an acid, base, or enzyme
Usage: chiefly British spelling; American English uses 'hydrolyze'; chemistry and biochemistry term
Examples
- Enzymes hydrolyse proteins into amino acids during digestion.
- The acid will hydrolyse the ester into an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
- Water molecules hydrolyse the polymer chains, weakening the material.
- Bacteria hydrolyse cellulose to access the glucose within plant cell walls.
- Heat and moisture can hydrolyse certain plastics over time.
- The enzyme amylase hydrolyses starch into simpler sugars.
- In the lab, we hydrolysed the salt solution to observe the reaction.