Which statement best explains the roles of hydrolysis and condensation in protein formation?

Which statement best explains the roles of hydrolysis and condensation in protein formation?

• A. Hydrolysis breaks proteins into amino acids; protein synthesis involves condensation
• B. Condensation breaks down amino acids; hydrolysis forms proteins
• C. Hydrolysis and condensation are not involved in protein formation
• D. Hydrolysis provides energy for transcription only

Answer: (A)

When proteins are built, new peptide bonds are formed between amino acids by a condensation (dehydration synthesis) reaction, releasing a molecule of water. This is the process underlying protein synthesis, linking amino acids into long chains. Hydrolysis does the opposite: it breaks peptide bonds by adding water, returning proteins to individual amino acids. So the statement is the best because it correctly assigns condensation to protein formation and hydrolysis to breaking those bonds. The other ideas are not accurate: condensation does not break down amino acids, hydrolysis does not create proteins, and hydrolysis is not the only energy source for transcription.

When proteins are built, new peptide bonds are formed between amino acids by a condensation (dehydration synthesis) reaction, releasing a molecule of water. This is the process underlying protein synthesis, linking amino acids into long chains. Hydrolysis does the opposite: it breaks peptide bonds by adding water, returning proteins to individual amino acids. So the statement is the best because it correctly assigns condensation to protein formation and hydrolysis to breaking those bonds. The other ideas are not accurate: condensation does not break down amino acids, hydrolysis does not create proteins, and hydrolysis is not the only energy source for transcription.