Hydrolysis vs. Phosphorylysis

Hydrolysis and phosphorolysis are mechanisms of cleaving covalent bonds using water or phosphoric acid, respectively (Figure 13.15). Glycogen phosphorylase uses phosphorolysis to cleave the (1->4) linkages between glucose units in glycogen, whereas -amylase uses hydrolysis to cleave the (1->4) linkages in starch (e.g., amylose and amylopectin) and glycogen.

See also: Glycogen Phosphorylase, -Amylase