What occurs to atoms in a chemical reaction involving the breaking and making of bonds?

In a chemical reaction involving the breaking and making of bonds, atoms undergo rearrangement to form new molecules or compounds. Initially, existing chemical bonds in the reactants are broken as the substances are transformed into intermediate states. Subsequently, new bonds are formed between the atoms to produce the final products. Throughout this process, the actual atoms themselves remain unchanged, as no atoms are created or destroyed. The breaking and making of bonds involve the transfer, sharing, or rearrangement of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of different chemical species while preserving the total number and types of atoms involved in the reaction.