The common term for substances that speed up chemical reactions is "catalysts." Catalysts work by lowering the activation energy required for a reaction to proceed, thereby increasing the rate of the reaction without being consumed in the process. They can be found in various forms, including enzymes, which are biological catalysts in living organisms. Catalysts play a significant role in industrial processes, environmental science, and biological systems, demonstrating their importance in facilitating numerous chemical reactions while helping to conserve energy and resources by promoting more efficient pathways.