Catalyst
Japanese: 触媒
A substance that accelerates chemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes are biological catalysts—the fundamental principle enabling fermentation.
A catalyst is a substance that accelerates chemical reactions without being consumed. In industry, platinum and iron serve as catalysts; in biology, enzymes fill that role.
Reactions catalyzed by enzymes would take thousands of years without them. Protease breaks protein into amino acids within days at room temperature—without the enzyme, the reaction would take centuries.
Enzymes excel as catalysts because they dramatically lower the 'activation energy' required for reactions. By reducing this energy barrier, reactions proceed at mild temperatures. This is why fermentation is sometimes called 'chemistry at room temperature.'