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

A catalyst plays a vital role in chemical reactions by increasing the rate of the reaction without being consumed in the process. Catalysts operate by providing an alternative reaction pathway that has a lower activation energy compared to the uncatalyzed reaction. This means that more reactant molecules will have enough energy to overcome the energy barrier and convert into products in a shorter amount of time.

This characteristic of a catalyst allows reactions to occur more efficiently without affecting the overall energy change of the reaction, thus remaining unchanged at the end of the process. As a result, the same catalyst can be used repeatedly in many reaction cycles, which is particularly beneficial in both industrial processes and biological systems where catalysts are often enzymes.

In contrast to the correct option, catalysts do not lower the reaction temperature, alter the products of the reaction, or increase the activation energy required. These properties maintain the catalyst’s role in facilitating the reaction while preserving its own chemical structure throughout the reaction process.