Digestion relies on chemical reactions between food and acids and enzymes to break down molecules into nutrients the body can absorb and use. Vitamins and minerals are everyday chemicals we need for survival. Hormones are chemicals that help us grow, heal, sense the world around us, and find love. Soaps and detergents act as emulsifiers that surround dirt and grime so it can be washed away from clothing, dishes, and our bodies. Fire is combustion, which is a chemical reaction. It cooks food, heats homes, and runs vehicles.