Which statement about condensation reactions is true?

Which statement about condensation reactions is true?

• A. Water is added to break a bond
• B. Water leaves but no new bond forms
• C. Water leaves and a covalent bond forms
• D. Water leaves and a covalent bond forms

Answer: (C)

Condensation reactions build larger molecules by linking smaller units and releasing a molecule of water in the process. When two monomers join, a covalent bond forms between them and water is removed. That makes the statement about water leaving and a covalent bond forming true. The other ideas describe water being added to break a bond (that’s hydrolysis, not condensation) or water leaving but no new bond forming (which wouldn’t create a larger molecule). In biology, this is how polymers like proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides are synthesized—through bond formation with water as a byproduct.

Condensation reactions build larger molecules by linking smaller units and releasing a molecule of water in the process. When two monomers join, a covalent bond forms between them and water is removed. That makes the statement about water leaving and a covalent bond forming true. The other ideas describe water being added to break a bond (that’s hydrolysis, not condensation) or water leaving but no new bond forming (which wouldn’t create a larger molecule). In biology, this is how polymers like proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides are synthesized—through bond formation with water as a byproduct.