Question

When your body digests food, it breaks the large polymers found in the food into smaller monomers. When it does this, it requires energy. Which type of reaction has to occur in order to create monomers from a larger polymer? A. Hydrolysis reaction B. Dehydration synthesis reaction C. Decomposition reaction D. Single displacement reaction. The answer is A. Hydrolysis reaction. I had this question on an assignment.

Answer 1

Answer:

When the body digests the food, breaking down the polymers into smaller monomers, the reaction that occurs is hydrolysis (option A).

Explanation:

The hydrolysis reaction is called this because it depends on the interaction of water molecules with macromolecules, promoting the breakdown of chemical bonds that hold the polymers together.

In the process of chemical digestion, food is converted into smaller molecules that can easily be absorbed by hydrolysis reaction.  Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are converted into amino acids, glucose and fatty acids, respectively, which are monomers or single molecules that are easily absorbed.

The other options are not correct:

    B. Dehydration synthesis is the joining of two monomers, releasing water molecules.

    C. Decomposition reaction is based on the degradation of a substance by the action of energy produced by heat, light or electricity.

    D. Single displacement reaction involves the substitution in a compound of one atom by another.

None of these reactions are involved in the digestion process.