Catalyst - General Properties
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List the five main properties of catalysts.
Catalysts are chemically unchanged at the end of a reaction Catalysts are specific Catalysts need only be present in small amounts In the case of equilibrium, catalysts help equilibrium be achieved more quickly Catalysts can be destroyed by catalyst poisons
Explain what is meant by ‘catalysts are specific’.
A catalyst will only catalyse one particular reaction or class of very similar reactions
Give an example of a catalyst which catalyses a class of very similar reactions.
Platinum catalyses many hydrogenation reactions
Define hydrogenation
The addition of hydrogen
Give an example of a catalyst which is extremely specific
An enzyme such as catalase is extremely specific
Define enzyme
A substance that is produced by a living cell and acts as a biological catalyst
Where is catalase found in the body?
The liver
What is the function of catalase?
It decomposes hydrogen peroxide in living thigs
Why does catalase decompose hydrogen peroxide in living things?
Catalase is highly toxic to living cells but is constantly being produced by the body as a product of chemical reactions in cells
What is the fastest known enzyme?
Catalase
Why does catalase have to work so quickly?
As hydrogen peroxide has to be decomposed at the same rate that it is produced by the body
What enzyme catalyses the breakdown of the cell walls of bacteria and helps protect us from bacteria?
Lysozyme
What is the function of the enzyme lysozyme in the body?
Lysozyme catalyses the breakdown of bacterial cell walls and helps protect the body from bacteria
Where is the series of enzyme called zymase found?
It is found in yeast cells
What is the function of zymase found in yeast cells?
Zymase helps control the fermentation of sugar to alcohol in the production of alcoholic drinks
What effect does a catalyst have on chemical equilibrium?
Catalysts can help a reaction reach equilibrium but do not affect the position of equilibrium or the composition of the final mixture
Do large or small amount of catalysts need to be present in reactions?
Small amounts are needed to function as catalysts
Define catalyst poison.
A substance that makes a catalyst inactive
What effect does a catalyst poison have on the action of a catalyst?
A catalyst poison destroys the action of a catalyst
Give an example of a catalyst poison
Arsenic
What effect does arsenic have on the body?
Arsenic inhibits the actions of certain enzymes in the body