What is the process of dehydration synthesis in molecule formation?

Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction that involves the loss of a water molecule from the reacting substances to form a new compound.

In more detail, dehydration synthesis, also known as condensation reaction, is a process that combines two molecules into a larger one, with the removal of a water molecule. This process is a vital part of many biological and chemical functions in the body, including the formation of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

The term 'dehydration synthesis' is derived from the fact that a water molecule is synthesised during the reaction and then removed - hence 'dehydration'. The water molecule is formed by combining a hydrogen ion (H+) from one molecule and a hydroxyl group (OH-) from the other molecule. The remaining parts of the original molecules then bond together to form a new, larger molecule.

For example, in the formation of a disaccharide (a type of carbohydrate), two monosaccharides (simple sugars) combine in a dehydration synthesis reaction to form a disaccharide and a water molecule. The water molecule is then removed from the reaction, leaving the disaccharide.

Similarly, in the formation of a peptide bond (which links amino acids together to form proteins), a hydrogen ion is removed from the amino group of one amino acid, and a hydroxyl group is removed from the carboxyl group of another amino acid. These combine to form a water molecule, which is then removed, and the remaining parts of the amino acids bond together to form a peptide bond.

In summary, dehydration synthesis is a crucial process in the formation of many biological molecules, involving the combination of smaller molecules into larger ones, with the removal of a water molecule.