A reaction pathway is a series of steps that describes how reactants transform into products during a chemical reaction. It outlines the sequence of molecular changes, including the formation and breaking of bonds, and can be visualized as a diagram showing energy changes throughout the process. Understanding a reaction pathway helps chemists predict the outcome of reactions and identify intermediates, which are temporary species formed during the transformation. This concept is crucial in fields like organic chemistry and biochemistry, where complex reactions often occur, and it aids in the design of new synthetic routes for pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.