Catalyst

Definition

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. In biological systems, enzymes act as catalysts to facilitate metabolic reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction to proceed.
2. Enzymes are biological catalysts that are highly specific for their substrates.
3. Catalysts do not alter the equilibrium of the reaction; they only speed up the rate at which equilibrium is reached.
4. Enzyme activity can be affected by factors such as pH, temperature, and substrate concentration.
5. Inhibitors can decrease enzyme activity by binding to the active site or allosteric sites on the enzyme.

Review Questions

• How do catalysts affect activation energy in chemical reactions?
• What role do enzymes play as catalysts in metabolic reactions?
• What factors can influence enzyme activity in biological systems?

Related terms

enzyme: A protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction.

activation energy: The minimum amount of energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.

inhibitor: A substance that decreases the activity of an enzyme, either competitively or non-competitively.