Final answer:
A series of hydrolysis reactions breaking dietary macromolecules into monomers is known as digestion, which involves the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids into their monomer units by specific enzymes.
Step-by-step explanation:
During digestion in the human body, food is broken down into smaller molecules by catalytic enzymes, allowing for easy absorption of nutrients by cells in the intestine. Carbohydrates, for example, are hydrolyzed into monosaccharides by enzymes such as amylase, sucrase, lactase, or maltase. Proteins are hydrolyzed into amino acids by enzymes like pepsin, peptidase, and the action of hydrochloric acid. This process not only provides energy for cellular activities but is also essential for the proper functioning of our bodies.