Substrate Definition in Chemistry and Other Sciences

The definition of "substrate" depends on the context in which the word is used, particularly in the sciences.

Definitions of Substrate

Substrate (chemistry): A substrate is the medium in which a chemical reaction takes place or the reagent in a reaction that provides a surface for absorption. For example, in the fermentation of yeast, the substrate the yeast acts upon is sugar to produce carbon dioxide.

In biochemistry, an enzyme substrate is the substance the enzyme acts upon.

Sometimes the word substrate is also used as a synonym for the reactant, which is the molecule consumed in a chemical reaction.

Substrate (biology): In biology, the substrate may be the surface on which an organism grows or is attached. For example, a microbiological medium may be considered a substrate.

The substrate may also be the material at the bottom of a habitat, such as gravel at the base of an aquarium.

Substrate may also refer to the surface on which an organism moves.

Substrate (materials science): In this context, a substrate is a base on which a process occurs. For example, if gold is electroplated over silver, the silver is the substrate.

Substrate (geology): In geology, substrate is underlying stratum.