Hydrolysis

"The breaking down of a compound into fragments by the addition of a molecule of water. The hydroxyl group is incorporated in one fragment and the hydrogen atom in the other." (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2014)

Sources

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Coral reef information system glossary. 2014. Link: https://www.coris.noaa.gov/glossary/