Catalyst Collection

Metabolic enzyme, artwork
Metabolic enzyme. Computer artwork of aconitase (blue), in complex with ferritin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA, red). Aconitase is involved in the citric acid cycle but here it is performing a

Oil refinery worker
MODEL RELEASED. Oil refinery worker checking the feed pre-heater in the hydrofining area of an oil refinery. The hydrofining area is where crude oil products are processed to remove impurities such

Explosion on the SS Maine, 1898, (c1910)
Explosion on the USS Maine, 1898, (c1910). Cigar card from the History of Cuba, Geografico Universal, Propaganda de los Cigarros Susini y La Corona, Tabacalera Cubana

Sulphuric acid production. Schematic diagram of the Contact Process to make sulphuric acid from sulphur. Sulphur (yellow) enters a roasting tower on a conveyor belt (far left)

Laboratory apparatus for the production of oxygen from catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Piece of Potassium combusting in small glass beaker full of water

Ricin A-chain, artwork C017 / 3653
Ricin A-chain. Computer artwork showing the enzymatically active A-chain from a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (seen here) and B (not shown)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3652
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3651
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3650
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

HIV enzyme protein, molecular model C014 / 0876
HIV enzyme protein. Computer model showing the structure of the catalytic domain of a molecule of HIV-1 retroviral integrase (IN) from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV enzyme protein, molecular model
HIV enzyme protein. Computer model showing the structure of the catalytic domain of a molecule of HIV-1 retroviral integrase (IN) from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Ricin A-chain, artwork C017 / 3654
Ricin A-chain. Computer artwork showing the enzymatically active A-chain from a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (seen here) and B (not shown)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3649
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

Hammerhead ribozyme molecule F006 / 9492
Hammerhead ribozyme, molecular model. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

Hammerhead ribozyme molecule F006 / 9422
Hammerhead ribozyme, molecular model. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

Ribozyme enzyme and RNA F006 / 9346
Ribozyme enzyme and RNA, molecular model. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

Hepatitis D virus ribozyme complex F006 / 9295
Hepatitis D virus ribozyme complex. Molecular model showing an RNA (ribonucleic acid) strand from an Hepatitis delta (Hepatitis D) virus genomic ribozyme, complexed with a ribonucleoprotein

Lumazine synthase molecule F006 / 9291
Lumazine synthase molecule. Molecular model showing the structure of a lumazine synthase enzyme molecule from a Brucella abortus bacterium

Diels-Alder antibody catalyst molecule F006 / 9259
Diels-Alder antibody catalyst. Molecular model of an antibody that can be used to catalyse the Diels-Alder reaction

3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase C015 / 9940
3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, molecular model. This enzyme is found in human heart tissue, and catalyzes a reaction that is part of the beta-oxidation pathway

3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase C015 / 9941
3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, molecular model. This enzyme is found in human heart tissue, and catalyzes a reaction that is part of the beta-oxidation pathway

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3656
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3655
Ricin molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin. Ricin comprises two entwined amino acid chains; A (yellow) and B (blue)

Ricin molecule, artwork C017 / 3648
Ricin molecule Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of the toxic protein ricin (blue and yellow) with an active ribosome in the background

Methane monooxygenase enzyme, molecular model. This is the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) form of this metalloenzyme, an integral membrane protein that contains copper and zinc

Ribosomal RNA-binding protein molecule. Computer model showing the structure of a ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9) molecule from Bacillus stearothermophilus bacteria

Hepatitis D virus ribozyme complex. Computer model showing an RNA (ribonucleic acid) strand from an Hepatitis delta (Hepatitis D) virus genomic ribozyme, complexed with a ribonucleoprotein

Lumazine synthase molecule. Computer model showing the structure of a lumazine synthase enzyme molecule from a Brucella abortus bacterium

Hydrogenation process, artwork
Hydrogenation process. Computer artwork showing the hydrogenation process used to convert unsaturated fats to saturated fats

Ribozyme enzyme and RNA C016 / 2829
Ribozyme enzyme and RNA, molecular model. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

Ribozyme enzyme and RNA C016 / 2828
Ribozyme enzyme and RNA, molecular model. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

HRas enzyme molecule C014 / 0010
HRas enzyme molecule. Molecular model showing the structure of a molecule of the enzyme GTPase HRas, also known as transforming protein p21

NADH dehydrogenase molecule, artwork C014 / 0009
NADH dehydrogenase molecule. Computer artwork showing the structure of a molecule of NADH dehydrogenase (NADH:ubiquinone reductase or Complex I)

The Paris revolution
A barricade at the corner of the Boulevard Rue Mazagran in Paris, 1848. In France, the catalyst for the revolutions in the rest of Europe, the monarchy was replaced by the Second Republic

Catalysts Elk Falls Mill, Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, August 2006

Hydrofiner at an oil refinery
Oil refinery. This is the hydrofining area, where crude oil products are processed to remove any impurities, such as sulphur

Oil refining process. Schematic diagram of how oil is refined from the crude state to the finished products. The process depends on breaking down the oil in a process named catalytic cracking

Ammonia production. Schematic diagram of the Haber Process to make ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) gas

Researcher monitoring catalyst experiment
MODEL RELEASED: Chemistry research. A research chemist monitoring an experiment comparing the effects of two catalysts upon the same reaction

Zeolite crystals, polarised LM
Zeolite crystals, polarised light micrograph. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates that have a micro-porous structure. They are used as catalysts in the chemical industry

Palladium. Samples of the transition metal palladium (Pd). Palladium is a rare silver-white metal in the platinum group. It is often used in chemistry as a catalyst

RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC). Computer model showing the molecular structure of a bacterial argonaute protein (red) bound to a small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule (green and purple)

Xanthine dehydrogenase molecule. Computer model showing the molecular structure of the Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) enzyme

ATP sulfurylase molecule. Computer model showing the structure of an ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) enzyme. ATPS catalyses the primary step of sulphate activation within cells

DNA polymerase, molecular model
DNA polymerase. Computer model showing the structure of a DNA polymerase molecule (green). DNA polymerase is an enzyme that aids DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Ribozyme molecule
Ribozyme. Computer model of a ribozyme molecule. Ribozymes are RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules that catalyse certain biochemical reactions

Cytidine deaminase, molecular model
Cytidine deaminase. Computer model of the enzyme, activation-induced (cytidine) deaminase (AID). The tertiary structures of two protein complexes (purple and green)

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"Catalyst: Unleashing the Power of Change" From metabolic enzymes to explosive incidents, catalysts have played a pivotal role in shaping our world. Just like an oil refinery worker who kickstarts the transformation of raw materials into fuel, catalysts ignite reactions that propel progress. In 1898, an explosion on the SS Maine became a catalyst for America's involvement in the Spanish-American War. Similarly, the Boston Massacre of 1770 acted as a spark that fueled colonial resentment against British rule and ultimately led to armed revolution. Even individuals can be catalysts for change. Martin Luther, a German reformer and Doctor of Theology, ignited the Protestant Reformation by challenging established religious norms. Moving beyond Earth's boundaries, Greg C. Shavers at Marshall Space Flight Center harnessed technology as a catalyst for space exploration. His work propelled us towards new frontiers and expanded our understanding of the universe. Laboratory apparatus designed for oxygen production through catalytic decomposition demonstrates how science harnesses catalysts to create essential elements from simple compounds. Meanwhile, witnessing potassium combusting in water showcases how even small-scale reactions can have profound effects. But not all catalysts bring positive change; some are deadly forces lurking beneath innocent exteriors. Ricin A-chain serves as a chilling reminder of this truth - its artwork hauntingly capturing its destructive potential. Whether it is driving societal revolutions or propelling scientific breakthroughs, these diverse examples highlight how catalysts act as agents of transformation throughout history and across various fields. They remind us that even seemingly insignificant events or substances can unleash powerful waves of change when they serve as catalysts in our lives.