What is a substrate in terms of chemical reactions?

The term "substrate" in the context of chemical reactions specifically refers to the starting materials that undergo a chemical change during the reaction. In biochemical processes, for instance, enzymes act on substrates, facilitating their transformation into products. The substrate is essential for understanding how chemical reactions proceed, as it provides the foundational components that participate in the reaction.

Products are the substances produced as a result of the chemical changes, catalysts speed up reactions without being consumed, and substances that do not participate in reactions are inert, which does not fit the definition of a substrate. Thus, the identification of a substrate as the starting material is crucial for grasping the dynamics of chemical reactions.