What process involves the loss of water to form a chemical bond?

Dehydration synthesis is the correct process that involves the loss of water to form a chemical bond. During this process, two molecules are combined to create a larger molecule, and in doing so, a water molecule (H₂O) is released. This is a critical reaction in biological systems, as it is responsible for the formation of complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

In dehydration synthesis, for example, when two amino acids come together to form a peptide bond, a water molecule is released as the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another. This process is essential for building the structures necessary for life, allowing smaller units to be joined into more complex forms.

In contrast, hydrolysis involves the addition of water to break chemical bonds, which is the reverse of dehydration synthesis. Catabolism refers to the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones, typically releasing energy. Anabolism, while related to the building of larger molecules, does not specifically denote the loss of water to form bonds. Hence, dehydration synthesis is uniquely defined by the release of water during bond formation.