Hydrolyzing: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term comes from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water and 'lysis' meaning to break down.
• Hydrolysis was first recognized in the early 19th century as scientists explored chemical reactions involving water.

Science

• In biology, hydrolysis is crucial for digestion, as it breaks down food into nutrients that the body can use.
• It plays a key role in biochemical processes like DNA replication and protein synthesis, where water molecules are essential.

Chemistry

• During hydrolysis, chemical bonds are broken, often leading to the formation of acids or bases, pivotal in reactions.
• Esters, which are common in organic chemistry, undergo hydrolysis to produce an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.

Environmental Science

• Hydrolysis is vital in soil chemistry, where it affects nutrient availability in plants and helps decompose organic matter.
• It also plays a role in the breakdown of pollutants, helping to purify water supplies in nature.

Applications

• Hydrolysis is extensively used in the food industry, especially in the production of sugars through starch hydrolysis.
• In pharmaceuticals, hydrolyzing agents are used to formulate medications by breaking them down into active components.

This word's position of #33,197 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

• ...
• 33194 snooze
• 33195 swash
• 33196 psalter
• 33197 hydrolyzing
• 33198 huffing
• 33199 crinoline
• 33200 spluttering
• ...