#analogy #mental-model #biology #chemistry #biochemistry #enzymes #coenzymes #metalloenzymes #ribozymes #problem-solving #efficiency Created at 050223 # [Anonymous feedback](https://www.admonymous.co/louis030195) # [[Epistemic status]] #shower-thought Last modified date: 2023-02-05 Commit: 0 # Related - [[Readwise/Articles/cellular respiration - Metabolism - Wikipedia]] - [[Readwise/Articles/ASTM International - Reagent - Wikipedia]] - [[Readwise/Articles/cellular respiration - Anabolism - Wikipedia]] - [[Readwise/Articles/en.wikipedia.org - Arrhenius Equation - Wikipedia]] - [[Readwise/Articles/en.wikipedia.org - Glycolysis - Wikipedia]] # Catalyst Catalysts are molecules that speed up biochemical reactions in cells. They are important components of the complex biochemical pathways that occur in cells that allow organisms to carry out vital processes such as respiration, metabolism, and growth. Catalysts are able to do this by lowering the amount of energy needed to break down molecules and form new ones, making chemical reactions more efficient and faster. Enzymes are the most common type of catalyst used in biology and are proteins that are able to increase the rate of reactions. Other types of catalysts include coenzymes, metalloenzymes, and ribozymes. Catalysts are essential for allowing biochemical reactions to occur quickly and efficiently, making them vital components of cell biology. Catalyst can be useful as a mental model in real life, for example, they can be used to help people think of ways to speed up a process or task. For instance, a catalyst can be thought of as a way to jumpstart a project, allowing it to progress more quickly. Additionally, catalysts can be used as tools to help break down obstacles and create solutions. They can help focus energy and resources towards the most effective and efficient path to achieve a desired outcome. In this way, catalysts can be a valuable tool for problem-solving and achieving goals. An analogy for a catalyst would be a match. A match is used to ignite a flame and start a fire, just as a catalyst is used to initiate a reaction. The match lowers the amount of energy needed to create the flame, and in the same way, a catalyst lowers the amount of energy needed to initiate a reaction. Without a catalyst, the reaction would take much longer to occur and require more energy, making it less efficient. An analogy in nature for a catalyst would be the role of bees in pollination. Bees act as catalysts in the pollination process by transferring pollen from flower to flower, allowing fertilization to occur and ensuring the reproduction of plants. Without bees, this process would be much slower and less efficient, just as without a catalyst, chemical reactions in cells would be much slower and less efficient. Other analogies: - A key can be seen as a catalyst that unlocks a door, allowing entry. Without the key, the door would remain closed and the path forward would be obstructed. - A traffic light can be seen as a catalyst for traffic flow, regulating and speeding up the movement of vehicles through intersections. Without the traffic light, traffic would be slower and less efficient, leading to congestion and delays. - A spark can be seen as a catalyst for combustion, igniting fuel and allowing it to burn. Without the spark, the fuel would not ignite, and the process of combustion would not occur.