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Ch. 2 - Biochemistry Basics
Chapter 2, Problem 2.17a

a. b. c. d. Label the following reactions as a neutralization reaction, a hydrolysis reaction, or a dehydration synthesis reaction. <IMAGE>

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Understand the types of reactions: Neutralization reactions involve an acid and a base reacting to form water and a salt. Hydrolysis reactions involve the breaking down of a compound by adding water. Dehydration synthesis reactions involve joining two molecules by removing water.
Examine the first reaction in the image: Identify the reactants and products. Look for the presence of water as a product or reactant, which can indicate the type of reaction.
Examine the second reaction in the image: Again, identify the reactants and products. Determine if water is being added or removed, or if an acid and base are reacting.
Examine the third reaction in the image: Follow the same process of identifying reactants and products, and look for the role of water in the reaction.
Label each reaction based on your analysis: Use the characteristics of each reaction type to label them as neutralization, hydrolysis, or dehydration synthesis.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Neutralization Reaction

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. This process typically involves the transfer of protons (H+) from the acid to the base, resulting in a solution that is closer to neutral pH. An example is the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which forms water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl).
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Hydrolysis Reaction

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which water is used to break down a compound. This process involves the addition of water to split larger molecules into smaller units, such as breaking down polysaccharides into monosaccharides. Hydrolysis is essential in digestion, where complex food molecules are broken down into absorbable units.
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Dehydration Synthesis Reaction

Dehydration synthesis, also known as condensation reaction, is a process where two molecules are joined together with the removal of a water molecule. This reaction is crucial for forming larger biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, from smaller subunits like amino acids and nucleotides. An example is the formation of a peptide bond between two amino acids.
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