Final answer:
An ester linkage is a bond between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. It is formed through esterification and involves the loss of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ester linkage is a type of bond that forms between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. It is formed through a reaction known as esterification. In this reaction, the carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH) of a molecule reacts with the hydroxyl group (-OH) of an alcohol molecule, resulting in the formation of an ester and water.
During the formation of an ester linkage, one molecule of water is lost. This process is called dehydration synthesis or condensation reaction. The loss of water is caused by the removal of the hydroxyl group (-OH) from the carboxylic acid and the hydrogen atom from the alcohol.