The term for chemicals that speed up reactions is “catalysts.” Catalysts increase the rate of a chemical reaction without undergoing permanent changes themselves. They work by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction with a lower activation energy, making it easier for reactants to convert into products. Catalysts can be found in various forms, including solid, liquid, and gas, and they are widely used in industrial processes, such as the production of chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals. Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, play crucial roles in living organisms by facilitating biochemical reactions necessary for life.