adjective
- capable of being broken down by hydrolysis; able to undergo chemical decomposition when water is added
Usage: chemistry term; also spelled hydrolysable in British English
Examples
- Starch is a hydrolyzable carbohydrate that breaks down into glucose in the presence of water and acid.
- The enzyme breaks down hydrolyzable bonds in the protein molecule.
- Esters are hydrolyzable compounds commonly found in fats and oils.
- This polymer is hydrolyzable under acidic conditions.
- The hydrolyzable salt dissolved and reacted with water to form new compounds.