A chemical reaction in which molecules combine by removing water from between the two molecules (H and OH groups come together to release a water and bind)
The chemical reaction we are referring to is called a dehydration reaction or a condensation reaction
The chemical reaction we are referring to is called a dehydration reaction or a condensation reaction. It is a type of reaction where two molecules combine to form a larger molecule by removing a water molecule (H2O) from between them.
During a dehydration reaction, the hydroxyl group (-OH) from one molecule reacts with a hydrogen atom (-H) from the other molecule. This results in the formation of a covalent bond and the release of a water molecule.
Let’s take a simple example to understand this process better. Consider the reaction between two monosaccharide molecules (simple sugars) glucose and fructose to form the disaccharide sucrose.
Glucose + Fructose → Sucrose + Water
In this reaction, the hydroxyl group (-OH) found at the end of one glucose molecule reacts with the hydrogen atom (-H) from the fructose molecule. This creates a covalent bond between the glucose and fructose molecules, linking them together to form sucrose. At the same time, a water molecule is released as a byproduct.
This dehydration reaction occurs in many biological processes. For instance, in the synthesis of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, dehydration reactions play a vital role. In proteins, amino acids combine to form peptide bonds, while in nucleic acids (such as DNA and RNA), nucleotides come together through a similar mechanism.
It’s important to note that dehydration reactions are the opposite of hydrolysis reactions, where larger molecules are broken down into smaller units through the addition of water. Dehydration reactions are essential for building complex biological structures and molecules, and they contribute to the overall variety and complexity of life forms.
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