Describe dehydration synthesis.

• A. Monomers join to form polymers with the loss of water.
• B. Monomers break apart in the presence of water.
• C. Dehydration consumes water to break bonds.
• D. Water is added to separate monomers.

Answer: (A)

Dehydration synthesis is a condensation reaction where monomers covalently bond to form polymers with the release of a water molecule. When the new bond forms, a hydrogen from one monomer and a hydroxyl from another combine to make water, so the polymer grows and water is produced. This is an anabolic process that builds larger molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids. The opposite process is hydrolysis, which adds water to break bonds and yield monomers. So describing monomers joining with the loss of water best captures dehydration synthesis, while statements about breaking apart in water or adding water to separate monomers describe hydrolysis.