hydrolysis

hy·drol·y·sis  (h-drl-ss)

n.

Decomposition of a chemical compound by reaction with water, such as the dissociation of a dissolved salt or the catalytic conversion of starch to glucose.

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hydro·lyte (-lt) n.

hydro·lytic (-dr-ltk) adj.

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hydrolysis [hide-rol-iss-iss]

Noun

Chem a process of decomposition in which a compound reacts with water to produce other compounds [Greek hudōr water + lusis a loosening]

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hydrolysis  (h-drl-ss)

The breaking down of a chemical compound into two or more simpler compounds by reacting with water. The proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates in food are broken down in the body by hydrolysis that is catalyzed by enzymes in the digestive tract.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

hydrolysis - a chemical reaction in which water reacts with a compound to produce other compounds; involves the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion from the water chemical reaction, reaction - (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others; "there was a chemical reaction of the lime with the ground water"