Catalysts and Inhibitors
Catalysts and Inhibitors
What are Catalysts and Inhibitors?
1.)Catalysts:A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently changed itself.
2.)Inhibitor:A substance that slows down a chemical reaction.
* Decomposition of a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide is a slow process, so manganese dioxide may be added.
* MnO2speeds the reaction and is unchanged.
Therefore...
*MnO2is a catalyst.
FYI~ Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in cell reactions.
* Example: Traces of Fe3+ions in hydrogen peroxide can cause it to decompose.
However...
* If a phosphate is added, it slows the rate of decomposition.
Inhibitors are added in food
... They are called preservatives.
It slows down the decay of food.
HOW?!
By retarding the processes that cause food to spoil.An example would be calcium propionate.
FYI~ Some medicines are designed to inhibit enzyme activity. These medicines contain a compound that destroys or deactivates an enzyme in bacteria. The enzyme inhibitors thus kill the bacteria and stop an infection.
By:Sherry C.
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