Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is the breaking down of complex molecules by the chemical addition of water. Hydrolysis is in contrast to acidolysis, or breaking down molecules by adding acid. This distinction has both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, hydrolysis is much less dangerous than acidolysis (acidolysis accidents can cause painful and disfiguring burns). On the other hand, many substances, such as meat, take much longer to dissolve in water than in acid.

See also

• Dehydrolysis