What is the term for the breakdown of glycogen into glucose subunits?

Answer

Hydrolysis.

Rationale

Hydrolysis is the chemical process in which water is used to break the bonds holding subunits together in a larger molecule; in this case, breaking glycogen (a stored polysaccharide) down into individual glucose units. This is the reverse of dehydration synthesis, which builds larger molecules by removing water, making "hydrolysis" the correct term for this breakdown process.

Answer choices

• A. Hydrolysis.

  Hydrolysis is the chemical process in which water is used to break the bonds holding subunits together in a larger molecule; in this case, breaking glycogen (a stored polysaccharide) down into individual glucose units. This is the reverse of dehydration synthesis, which builds larger molecules by removing water, making "hydrolysis" the correct term for this breakdown process.

• B. Water cycle steps (Condensation, Transpiration, Absorption).

• C. Glycolysis

• D. Gluconeogenesis