B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
Hydrolysis uses water to break covalent bonds in food macromolecules, producing soluble monomers that can be absorbed and reused by cells.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- B1.1.3
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing11%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2025
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- State
- Outline
- Describe
- Explain
- Identify
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Confusing hydrolysis with condensation when identifying reaction type.
Recent exam appearances
May 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ14(a)[ 1 ]B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
May 2024Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ25(c)[ 7 ]B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
November 2023Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ225[ 1 ]B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
November 2022Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ07(a)[ 3 ]B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
November 2022Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ025[ 1 ]B1.1.3—Digestion by hydrolysis
Practice this objective
Coverage 2010–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Hydrolysis breaks covalent bonds by adding water.
- Digestion converts macromolecules into smaller soluble products for absorption.
- Amylase, proteases and lipase catalyse hydrolysis of different food molecules.
- Products of digestion can be absorbed through the small intestine.