Catalyst
Definition
A catalyst is any substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering its activation energy but remains unchanged itself after the reaction has occurred.
Analogy
Consider a catalyst like the coach of a sports team. The coach doesn't play in the game (doesn't get consumed or changed), but their strategies and guidance help the team perform better and faster.
Related terms
Enzyme: A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.
Substrate: The substance on which an enzyme acts during a chemical reaction.
Inhibitor: A substance that slows down or prevents a particular chemical reaction or other process, or that reduces the activity of a particular reactant, catalyst, or enzyme.
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