AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst generally enters into chemical combination with the reactants but is ultimately regenerated, so the amount of catalyst remains unchanged. Since the catalyst is not consumed, each catalyst molecule may induce the transformation of many molecules of reactants.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most solid catalysts are metals or the oxides, sulfides, and halides of metallic elements and of the semimetallic elements boron, aluminum, and silicon.