INTRODUCTION
Catalysts are substances that can be added to a reaction to increase the reaction rate without
getting consumed in the process. They usually work by
Lowering the energy of the transition state, thus lowering the activation energy, and/or
Changing the mechanism of the reaction. This also changes the nature (and energy) of the
transition state.
Catalysts are everywhere! Many biochemical processes, such as the oxidation of glucose, are
heavily dependent on enzymes, proteins that behave as catalysts.
Other common kinds of catalysts include acid-base
catalysts and heterogeneous (or surface) catalysts.
Catalytic proteins:
Enzymes are the proteins that regulate biochemical processes. They are often called catalysts,
because they function to lower the activation energy of the reaction and thereby increases the
rate of the reaction. ... Enzymes are biological catalysts or assistants.
A catalyst is a substance that can be added to a reaction to increase the reaction rate
without getting consumed in the process.
Catalysts typically speed up a reaction by reducing the activation energy or changing the
reaction mechanism.
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions.
Common types of catalysts include enzymes, acid-base catalysts,
and heterogeneous (or surface) catalysts.
Example: Carbonic anhydrase
The enzyme carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the reversible reaction of carbon dioxide CO2 and
water H2O to form carbonic acid. When the concentration of CO2 in the body is too high,
carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the following reaction:
By regulating the concentration of carbonic acid in the blood and tissues, the enzyme is able to
keep the pH balanced in the body.
