Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction where two smaller molecules are joined to form a larger molecule by removing a water molecule. This process is also called a condensation reaction. During the reaction, a hydrogen atom (H) from one molecule combines with a hydroxyl group (OH) from another molecule, releasing water (H2O) and forming a new covalent bond between the two molecules, thus synthesizing a larger molecule. This reaction is fundamental in biology for forming macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. For example, in carbohydrates, monosaccharides link to form disaccharides or polysaccharides through dehydration synthesis. Similarly, amino acids link to form peptides and proteins by releasing water in peptide bond formation. Lipids such as triglycerides form via dehydration synthesis between glycerol and fatty acids. Nucleic acids are also synthesized by dehydration when nucleotides polymerize to form DNA or RNA. In summary, dehydration synthesis is a reaction that synthesizes larger molecules by joining smaller units with the simultaneous loss of water, essential for building biological macromolecules.
