Reactants in Biology

Reactants are the substances that participate in a chemical reaction, undergoing a change in their molecular structure to form new substances called products. In biological systems, reactants are involved in various metabolic processes, such as photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and enzyme-catalyzed reactions.

Examples of Reactants in Biology

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) are the reactants in the process of photosynthesis, which produces glucose and oxygen as products.
• Glucose and oxygen are the reactants in the process of cellular respiration, which generates energy (in the form of ATP) and carbon dioxide as products.
• Substrates and enzymes are reactants in enzyme-catalyzed reactions, where the enzyme facilitates the conversion of substrates into products.

Studying Reactants in Biology

To understand reactants in biology, students should focus on the following key points:

1. Identifying reactants and products in different biochemical reactions
2. Understanding the role of reactants in energy transformations within cells
3. Exploring how reactants interact with catalysts (such as enzymes) to facilitate biochemical reactions
4. Relating the concept of reactants to real-life examples, such as the role of reactants in the food we eat and the air we breathe

By grasping the significance of reactants in biological processes, students can gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that sustain life at the molecular level.

[Reactants] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Chemical ReactionsChemistry • High School
• Chemical EquationsChemistry • High School
• Kinetics and EquilibriumChemistry • High School
• Chemical reactionsScience • Eighth Grade