A "catalyst" is a substance or agent that speeds up or facilitates a chemical reaction without itself being consumed or permanently changed by the reaction. Catalysts are used to lower the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, making the reaction happen more quickly or under milder conditions than it would without the catalyst. In essence, catalysts increase the rate of a reaction but are not used up in the process, so they can be used repeatedly.
Catalysts play a crucial role in various chemical and biological processes, including industrial production, environmental processes, and biological reactions. They are widely used in industries like petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, and the production of various consumer products.
In a broader sense, the term "catalyst" is also used metaphorically to describe something that causes or accelerates change or development. In this context, a catalyst is an event, person, or factor that stimulates or triggers a specific outcome or transformation, often in a non-chemical or abstract sense.
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