Final answer:
The metabolic process that leads to the formation of water and carbon dioxide by chemically heating acetic acid is called combustion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The metabolic process that leads to the formation of water and carbon dioxide by chemically heating acetic acid is called combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and light. When acetic acid is heated, it reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.
For example, the combustion of acetic acid can be represented by the following equation: C2H4O2 + O2 → CO2 + H2O.
In this reaction, the acetic acid (C2H4O2) combines with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).