Catalyst

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Catalyst

Catalyst (/ˈkætəlɪst/) is a term widely used in the field of Chemistry and Biology. It refers to a substance that increases the rate of a Chemical Reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Etymology

The term 'Catalyst' originates from the Greek words 'kata' meaning 'down' and 'lyein' meaning 'to loosen'. It was first used in the scientific context by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1835 to describe substances that speed up chemical reactions.

Related Terms

  • Enzyme: A biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions in living organisms.
  • Catalysis: The process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a catalyst.
  • Inhibitor: A substance that slows down or prevents a particular chemical reaction.
  • Substrate: The substance on which an enzyme or catalyst acts.
  • Active Site: The specific region of an enzyme or catalyst where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Usage in Medicine

In medicine, catalysts play a crucial role in drug synthesis and metabolic processes. For instance, enzymes, the biological catalysts, are essential for digestion and other metabolic processes in the body. In drug synthesis, catalysts are used to speed up the chemical reactions, making the production process more efficient.

See Also

External links

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