SYSTEM INVENTORY
Free Monomers
3
Free H₂O Molecules
0
Covalent Bonds
0
Monomer + Monomer → Polymer + H₂O
Polymer + H₂O → Monomer + Monomer
Biological Mechanisms:
■ Dehydration Synthesis:
Anabolic reaction. Enzymes pull a Hydroxyl (-OH) from one monomer and a Hydrogen (-H) from another. This forms a strong covalent bond (e.g. Glycosidic or Peptide) and expels water.
■ Hydrolysis:
Catabolic reaction. Water is violently forced into the covalent bond to split it. The H₂O molecule donates its -H to one side and -OH to the other, reforming free monomers.
■ Dehydration Synthesis:
Anabolic reaction. Enzymes pull a Hydroxyl (-OH) from one monomer and a Hydrogen (-H) from another. This forms a strong covalent bond (e.g. Glycosidic or Peptide) and expels water.
■ Hydrolysis:
Catabolic reaction. Water is violently forced into the covalent bond to split it. The H₂O molecule donates its -H to one side and -OH to the other, reforming free monomers.