system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: what is actually happening when paper becomes fragile when it gets wet?

Ok, this is one from my literal (almost) 5 year old. We all know that paper gets fragile and tears easily when it's wet... but why? What is the water actually changing in the paper to make it so fragile?
gpt
Paper is made up of two main parts (as far as this is concerned).  You have the long fibers, and glue.  "Glue" in this case is other substances such as starches or proteins.

When paper gets wet, the glue loosens, and stops holding the long fibers against each other, allowing them to slide apart.