Essential Things You Need To Know About Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis Definition
Hydrolysis usually means the cleavage of chemical bonds by the addition of water. When a carbohydrate is broken into its component sugar molecules by hydrolysis, this is termed saccharification. Generally, hydrolysis or saccharification is a step in the degradation of a substance OR in the language of chemistry “The reaction of cation and anion or both with water molecule due to which pH is altered, cleavage of H-O bond in hydrolysis takes place.”Hydrolysis can be the reverse of a condensation reaction in which two molecules join together into a larger one and eject a water molecule. Thus hydrolysis adds water to break down, whereas condensation builds up by removing water and any other solvents.
Source: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59111518/hydrolysis

ATP Hydrolysis
ATP hydrolysis is the primary method the human body uses to chemically release energy to muscles and other systems in the body necessary to sustain life. The chemical Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is converted to Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by the loss of a phosphoanhydrous group at the end of the compound, resulting in a release of chemical energy and heat. It is also possible for ADP to be converted one level farther down the molecular chain, to Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) releasing further energy. Under special conditions it is sometimes the case as well that ATP can be directly hydrolyzed to AMP, releasing the energy of two phosphate groups on the end of the molecule in the process instead of just one.
The amount of energy released by ATP hydrolysis can vary based on factors such as the pH or acidic level of blood, and the presence of magnesium, which binds to the byproducts of the reaction. Since the conversion of ATP to ADP can lower the pH level of blood, it has been attributed to cases of lactic acidosis, a condition where reduced oxygen levels in the blood can result in shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and other side effects. Cases of lactic acidosis are often a symptom in exercise physiology, when a large demand for energy is being placed upon muscle groups.
Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds can be acids, bases or salts, which are compounds that result from the reaction of an acid and a base. They are made up of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. When they are dissolved in water, they will split into their cations and anions. The anions of weak acids, and the cations of weak bases, will react with water to some extent, resulting in hydrolysis.
Where a salt is the product of a strong acid and a weak base, the cation of the base will hydrolyze in water. For example, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is the salt of a weak base — ammonia (NH3) — and a strong acid — hydrochloric (HCl). When dissolved in water, it splits into cations and anions — NH4+ and Cl-, respectively. The cation, however, will react with water to some extent by losing a hydrogen ion:
Since this reaction produces hydronium ions (H3O+), the resulting solution is acidic. Where a salt is the product of a strong base and a weak acid, the anions of the acid will react with water by accepting hydrogen (H+) ions, leaving hydroxide (OH-) ions, which gives an alkaline solution. The salt of a strong acid and a strong base will not hydrolyze because the anion of the acid and the cation of the base do not react with water.
3 Common Types of Hydrolysis
- Salts: Hydrolysis occurs when salt from a weak base or acid dissolves in liquid.
- Acid: Water can act as an acid or a base, according to the Bronsted-Lowry acid theory. In this case, the water molecule would give away a proton.
- Base: This reaction will be similar to the hydrolysis for base dissociation. A base that often dissociates in water is ammonia.
Source: https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-hydrolysis-375589
General Equation for Hydrolysis
A very simple illustration of the hydrolysis equation is shown below. As you can see, there is a long chain that needs to be broken into two separate parts. When water is added, a bond is broken between the atoms used to form that long chain. Given what we now know about this equation, let’s explore the different types of hydrolysis reactions.

Source: http://study.com/academy/lesson/hydrolysis-definition-reaction-equation-example.html
