What is the function of dehydration synthesis in carbohydrate formation?

Dehydration synthesis, also known as condensation reaction, plays a crucial role in the formation of carbohydrates by linking monosaccharides (the simplest form of carbohydrates) together to form larger carbohydrates, such as disaccharides and polysaccharides. During this process, a water molecule is removed when two monosaccharides bond together, creating a glycosidic linkage. This reaction is essential because it allows for the creation of more complex carbohydrate structures, which are important for energy storage and structural functions in living organisms.

In contrast, breaking down glucose involves hydrolysis, where water is added to cleave bonds between glucose molecules. Hydrolyzing polysaccharides is also a process that uses water to break down larger carbohydrates into smaller units. While amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and not carbohydrates, the formation of amino acids does not occur through dehydration synthesis as it pertains specifically to proteins rather than carbohydrate formation. Thus, the correct answer of building up larger carbohydrates accurately reflects the specific purpose of dehydration synthesis in carbohydrate metabolism.