MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) Interview Question:

Which one of the following general characteristics is shared by all catalysts?

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1. They induce more collisions among reactant molecules.
2. They transfer kinetic energy to the reactant molecules.
3. They increase the reaction rate but do not change the Keq of a reversible reaction.
4. They increase both the reaction rate and the Keq of a reversible reaction.

Answer: C

Explanation: In general, catalysts lower the activation energy of the slowest step in a reaction. Thus, they increase the rate of the reaction without increasing the number of collisions, the kinetic energy of the reactants, or the Keq of a reversible reaction. Thus, answer choice C is the best answer.
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