Chemical Reactions and Redox Processes

Vocabulary terms covering dehydration synthesis, hydrolysis, and redox reactions based on the lecture material.

Dehydration synthesis

Also known as a condensation reaction, this is a chemical reaction where two smaller molecules are joined to make something bigger, releasing a $H_2O$ molecule in the process.

Condensation reaction

A synonym for dehydration synthesis, referring to the process of joining molecules by removing water.

Synthesis

A term meaning the making or creating of something.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction where $H_2O$ is added to a larger molecule to break it into two smaller, simpler molecules; it is the opposite of dehydration synthesis.

Redox reactions

The combined name for oxidation-reduction reactions, which are coupled reactions that occur together.

Coupled reactions

Refers to reactions like oxidation and reduction that cannot happen separately and must occur together.

Oxidation

A chemical process where a molecule loses electrons.

Reduction

A chemical process where a molecule gains electrons, named in reference to the oxidative state.

OIL RIG

A mnemonic device meaning 'Oxidation Is Losing' and 'Reduction Is Gaining' to remember the flow of electrons.

Enzymes

Biological regulators that control and manage oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions within metabolism.