Reactant Molecules

Definition

Reactant molecules are the substances that start a chemical reaction. They interact with each other to form new products.

Analogy

Think of reactant molecules as ingredients in a recipe. Just like you need specific ingredients to bake a cake, you need specific reactants to start a chemical reaction.

Related terms

Substrate: This is the molecule upon which an enzyme acts. In our baking analogy, this would be like the flour for your cake - it's one of the main components needed for the reaction (baking) to occur.

Product: This is what results from a chemical reaction. Using our baking analogy again, this would be your finished cake!

Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. It's like adding baking powder to your cake mix - it helps everything come together more quickly and efficiently, but isn't part of the final product.