Dental Assistant Practice Exam

What characteristic does a catalyst enhance in a chemical reaction?

1. It decreases the temperature

2. It increases the rate of the reaction

3. It changes the products formed

4. It consumes reactants

The correct answer is: It increases the rate of the reaction

A catalyst enhances the rate of a chemical reaction. Catalysts are substances that facilitate a reaction by providing an alternative pathway with a lower activation energy, which allows the reactants to convert to products more quickly. This increase in the reaction rate can significantly affect how efficiently a reaction proceeds, especially in biological systems, where enzymes act as biological catalysts. The key characteristic of a catalyst is that it remains unchanged after the reaction, meaning it does not get consumed or permanently alter the products. This allows it to be used repeatedly for multiple reactions. Understanding this function is essential in both biochemistry and industrial chemistry, as catalysts play a crucial role in making processes more efficient and economical.