Proteolysis, lipolysis, and hydrolysis are examples of which broad category?

• A. Types of decomposition
• B. Energy-yielding processes
• C. Nutrient transport
• D. Genetic regulation

Answer: (A)

Proteolysis, lipolysis, and hydrolysis all involve breaking bonds in large molecules to form smaller ones. That makes them examples of decomposition—the process of breaking substances down. In metabolism, these are catabolic steps that convert proteins into amino acids and fats into fatty acids and glycerol, often releasing energy along the way. They aren’t about moving nutrients across membranes (nutrient transport) or controlling gene expression (genetic regulation). While energy can be released during decomposition, the broad category that best fits these processes is decomposition.