Introduction to Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction is a process where atoms in one or more substances, known as reactants, change their arrangement by breaking their chemical bonds and forming new bonds to create the products.

Reactions which result in a net release of energy are exergonic, while endergonic reactions are net absorbers of energy.

The biochemical reactions occurring in the human body are categorized as either synthesis or anabolic, such as protein synthesis, decomposition, or catabolic, such as the breakdown of polysaccharides into simple sugars, or exchange reactions, such as the transfer of ATP's phosphate to glucose to form glucose-phosphate.

Many biochemical reactions use enzymes as catalysts to speed up the reaction.

All biochemical reactions progress towards equilibrium — a state where no net change in the concentrations of reactants and products occurs because the forward and reverse reactions are happening at the same rate.

The biochemical reactions provide energy to maintain homeostasis and perform essential functions such as growth and repair.