What term refers to the elements or compounds that participate in a chemical reaction?

What term refers to the elements or compounds that participate in a chemical reaction?

• A. Products
• B. Substrates
• C. Reactants
• D. Catalysts

Answer: (C)

The term that refers to the elements or compounds that participate in a chemical reaction is "reactants." Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction; they undergo changes during the reaction to form new substances, known as products. This is foundational to the understanding of how chemical reactions work, as it emphasizes the transformation that takes place when reactants interact with one another under certain conditions. In contrast, products are the substances that are produced as a result of the reaction, while substrates specifically refer to the reactants in enzymatic reactions. Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process, but they do not participate directly as reactants. Understanding these distinctions is key in the study of chemistry and biology, especially in areas focusing on metabolic processes and biochemical reactions.

The term that refers to the elements or compounds that participate in a chemical reaction is "reactants." Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction; they undergo changes during the reaction to form new substances, known as products. This is foundational to the understanding of how chemical reactions work, as it emphasizes the transformation that takes place when reactants interact with one another under certain conditions.

In contrast, products are the substances that are produced as a result of the reaction, while substrates specifically refer to the reactants in enzymatic reactions. Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process, but they do not participate directly as reactants. Understanding these distinctions is key in the study of chemistry and biology, especially in areas focusing on metabolic processes and biochemical reactions.