Identify the process of making soap by the hydrolysis of fats and oils.

Step-by-step solution

Fats and oils are esters of higher fatty acids with glycerol. The process of making soap involves the alkaline hydrolysis of these fats and oils using aqueous sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. This reaction produces glycerol and the sodium or potassium salts of the fatty acids, which are known as soaps. This specific process of alkaline hydrolysis of esters to form soap is called saponification. Answer: Saponification