Hydrolysis of a polysaccharide to monosaccharides is an example of which metabolic process?

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Multiple Choice

Hydrolysis of a polysaccharide to monosaccharides is an example of which metabolic process?

Breaking down large, complex molecules into smaller ones is the hallmark of catabolic processes. Hydrolysis of a polysaccharide uses water to cleave glycosidic bonds, producing monosaccharides. This breakdown releases energy that can be captured as ATP, which is why it’s categorized as catabolic. Anabolic processes do the opposite—building up complex molecules from simpler ones and require energy input. Metabolic is too broad to specify the action, and while degradative conveys breakdown, the conventional term used for this kind of process in biochemistry is catabolic.

Breaking down large, complex molecules into smaller ones is the hallmark of catabolic processes. Hydrolysis of a polysaccharide uses water to cleave glycosidic bonds, producing monosaccharides. This breakdown releases energy that can be captured as ATP, which is why it’s categorized as catabolic. Anabolic processes do the opposite—building up complex molecules from simpler ones and require energy input. Metabolic is too broad to specify the action, and while degradative conveys breakdown, the conventional term used for this kind of process in biochemistry is catabolic.

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