cleavage in chemistry

In chemistry, cleavage refers to the breaking of chemical bonds within a molecule, resulting in its division into smaller parts or fragments. This process can occur naturally or be induced by conditions such as heat, chemicals, or enzymes. Cleavage is important in biological systems, like DNA replication, where the DNA strand is cut, and in industrial processes like refining or drug synthesis. Essentially, it’s the way a large, complex molecule is split into simpler pieces, facilitating further chemical reactions or analysis.