What is the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?

A catalyst plays a crucial role in chemical reactions by increasing the rate of the reaction without undergoing any permanent change itself. This means that, while it facilitates the reaction process—often by providing an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy—it does not get consumed in the reaction and can be used repeatedly.

This characteristic of catalysts is fundamental in various industrial applications and biological processes, allowing reactions to proceed more efficiently and with less energy input. For example, enzymes are biological catalysts that enhance the rate of biochemical reactions essential for life.

The emphasis here is on the catalyst's ability to speed up the reaction while remaining unchanged at the end of the process, which is why it can be considered a key factor in controlling reaction rates without altering the nature of the reactants or products involved.