Chemistry (AS Level)·Reaction kinetics · NSSCAS 2.4.3
Catalysis & Enzymes
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A catalyst speeds up a reaction without being used up — but how? Learn what catalysis is, the difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, how a catalyst provides an alternative route of lower activation energy, how that looks on the Boltzmann distribution, and why enzymes are such remarkable biological catalysts.
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS Chemistry (AS Level) 2.4.3):
- Explain and use the term catalysis
- Explain that catalysts can be homogeneous or heterogeneous
- Explain that a catalyst provides a different mechanism of lower activation energy, interpreted with the Boltzmann distribution
- Describe enzymes as biological catalysts which may have specificity
- Explain that enzyme reactions work only under specific conditions of pH and temperature
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