Catalysts

 

What are catalysts?

A catalyst helps a chemical reaction to happen faster, but it does not get used up or changed by the reaction.

Different reactions need different catalysts. A catalyst that works well for one reaction may not work at all for another reaction. Catalysts are specific to the reactions they speed up.

 

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are special kinds of catalysts that work in living cells.

Enzymes are catalysts that help biological reactions, such as digestion, to happen faster.

 

Summary:

 

• A chemical reaction can happen faster with the help of a substance called a catalyst.
• The catalyst does not get used up or changed by the reaction. It stays the same after the reaction.
• Some catalysts are enzymes, which are special molecules that work inside living cells.