hydrolysis
n.n. a chemical process where a substance reacts with water to break down into smaller parts. It is like the opposite of putting things together; instead, you are taking them apart using water.
n. a chemical reaction in which a molecule is split into two parts by the addition of a water molecule. This process is fundamental in biology for breaking down complex molecules like starch and proteins.
The body uses hydrolysis to break down food into energy.
During the digestion of carbohydrates, hydrolysis occurs as enzymes break the long sugar chains into smaller glucose units.
The industrial production of biodiesel relies on the hydrolysis of triglycerides to produce glycerol and fatty acid methyl esters, which are then refined into fuel.
From hydro- + -lysis.