What process involves breaking down a compound by adding water to split covalent bonds?

The process that involves breaking down a compound by adding water to split covalent bonds is known as hydrolysis. This reaction is essential in various biological processes, such as digestion, where larger molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are broken down into their smaller, more manageable subunits—monosaccharides, amino acids, and fatty acids, respectively.

During hydrolysis, the addition of water facilitates the cleavage of chemical bonds within the compound. Water provides a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a hydrogen atom (H) that attach to the resulting smaller molecules, effectively breaking the covalent bonds that hold the larger structure together. This process is critical for many metabolic pathways in living organisms, allowing them to utilize nutrients and energy stored in complex molecules.

Other options do not describe the addition of water to break covalent bonds. Dehydration synthesis, for instance, refers to the process of combining smaller molecules into larger ones while releasing water, typically used in forming polymers. Fermentation involves metabolic processes that convert sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, while oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons, often associated with the breakdown of molecules to release energy. Thus, hydrolysis specifically pertains to the breaking