autokatalüütilised

Autokatalüütilised is a term derived from Greek, meaning "self-catalytic." In a chemical context, an autokatalytic reaction is one where one of the products of the reaction acts as a catalyst for the same reaction. This means that as the reaction proceeds and produces more of the product, the rate of the reaction increases over time. This is in contrast to many common reactions where the catalyst is a separate substance that is not consumed in the process. Autokatalytic reactions can exhibit interesting kinetic behaviors, often showing an initial slow phase followed by a period of rapid acceleration.

This self-accelerating nature can be observed in various chemical systems, including some organic reactions and certain types of polymerization. In biological systems, autokatalysis plays a crucial role in processes like the replication of genetic material, where the DNA or RNA molecule itself can act as a catalyst for its own synthesis. The concept of autokatalysis is also relevant in discussions of the origins of life, as it provides a mechanism for the emergence of complex self-replicating molecules from simpler precursors. The study of autokatalytic systems helps scientists understand how complex chemical and biological systems can arise and evolve.