Dehydrogenation is a chemical process that involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from a molecule. This reaction typically transforms saturated compounds, like alkanes, into unsaturated compounds, such as alkenes or alkynes. Dehydrogenation is important in various industrial applications, including the production of fuels and chemicals. In organic chemistry, dehydrogenation can be catalyzed by metals or metal oxides, which help facilitate the reaction. This process is also significant in biological systems, where enzymes play a role in dehydrogenation reactions, contributing to metabolic pathways and energy production in organisms like humans and plants.