Which process involves water breaking apart macromolecules?

The process that involves water breaking apart macromolecules is hydrolysis. During hydrolysis, a water molecule is used to break the chemical bonds in larger molecules, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids, turning them into smaller units like monosaccharides, amino acids, and nucleotides, respectively.

Hydrolysis is essential for digestion, as it allows complex biomolecules to be broken down into their simpler forms, which can then be absorbed and utilized by the body for energy, growth, and repair. This process is the reverse of condensation (or dehydration synthesis), where water is released as smaller molecules bond together to form larger macromolecules.

In contrast, transcription and translation are processes related to gene expression and protein synthesis, and do not directly involve the breakdown of macromolecules through the addition of water. Transcription is the process of converting DNA into messenger RNA, while translation involves the synthesis of proteins based on the sequence of the messenger RNA.