HealthAugust 5, 2026
autocatalysis
AW-toh-kuh-TAL-uh-sis
Definition
A process in which a chemical reaction is accelerated or sustained by one of its own products, acting as a catalyst.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'autos' (self) and the English 'catalysis' (a process of dissolving or loosening), the term describes a reaction that triggers its own continuation.
In the news
The article mentions autocatalysis as a debated but essential concept in explaining how life's complex metabolic reactions could have emerged from spontaneous, non-living environments.
'Only One Conclusion': Radical Study Suggests Life on Earth Arose Twice
Read the full article ↗ScienceAlert