Question

what process breaks the bond between two monomers? *

krebs cycle
hydrolysis
dehydration synthesis
glycolysis

Explanation:

Identify the core question

The question asks for the specific chemical process that breaks the bond between two monomers.

Analyze the options

• Krebs cycle: A metabolic pathway that oxidizes acetyl-CoA to produce energy carriers in cellular respiration. It does not directly describe the general cleavage of polymer bonds.
• hydrolysis: A chemical reaction where a water molecule is added to break a covalent bond between monomers.
• dehydration synthesis: A reaction that joins monomers together by removing a water molecule, forming a covalent bond.
• glycolysis: The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose (a single monomer) into pyruvate. It is a specific multi-step pathway, not the general reaction for breaking polymer bonds.

Connect to biochemistry concepts

Using the Monomers and Polymers concept, we know that macromolecules are built from smaller units.
Using the Hydrolysis concept, we understand that "hydro-" (water) and "-lysis" (splitting) refers to using water to break these bonds.
Using the Dehydration Synthesis concept, we know this is the opposite process used to build bonds.

Address the student's query

Glycolysis is a specific metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose (a 6-carbon monosaccharide) into pyruvate. It is not the general chemical reaction used to cleave covalent bonds between monomers in a polymer. The general reaction that uses water to split polymer bonds is hydrolysis.

Answer:

• Krebs cycle
• hydrolysis (Correct answer)
• dehydration synthesis
• glycolysis