Final answer:
In chemical reactions, oxidation involves the addition of oxygen or removal of hydrogen, while reduction involves the removal of oxygen or addition of hydrogen to a molecule. Oxidation occurs in the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide and water, while reduction would be the opposite process, such as when hydrogen is added to a substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxidation and Reduction in Chemical Reactions
When determining the type of reaction for a given chemical process, one should consider the changes occurring at the molecular level. In the context of oxidation-reduction reactions, oxidation refers to the addition of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen while reduction is the removal of oxygen or the addition of hydrogen to a molecule. For example, when methane (CH4) is converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), hydrogen atoms are removed from methane, indicating that oxidation is occurring. Conversely, if a molecule gains hydrogen or loses oxygen, it is undergoing reduction.
A catabolic reaction is often associated with the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones and may involve oxidation, while an anabolic reaction involves the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, often through reduction processes. A biosynthetic reaction is a specific type of anabolic reaction where new organic molecules are formed.
Remember that a reducing chemical reaction involves the addition of electrons to the substrate or the removal of oxygen from it, which corresponds to a reduction. It's also helpful to know that reducing reactions can be part of larger catabolic processes.