Reactants
Definition
Reactants are substances present at the beginning of a chemical reaction which are consumed during the process.
Analogy
Reactants are like ingredients in your favorite recipe. You start with them but they get transformed into something else (the dish) as you cook.
Related terms
Substrate: The specific reactant acted upon by an enzyme. Like flour being acted upon by yeast in bread making.
Coefficient: In chemistry, this number indicates how many molecules or atoms of each reactant participate in the reaction. It's like knowing how many eggs you need for your cake recipe.
Chemical Equation: Represents a chemical reaction where reactants turn into products. It’s similar to your cooking instructions for transforming ingredients into food.
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