autocatalysis

[ aw-toh-kuh-tal-uh-sis ]

noun

, Chemistry, Biochemistry.

, plural au·to·ca·tal·y·ses [aw-toh-k, uh, -, tal, -, uh, -seez].

1. catalysis caused by a catalytic agent formed during a reaction.

autocatalysis

/ ˌɔːtəʊkəˈtælɪsɪs /

noun

1. the catalysis of a reaction in which the catalyst is one of the products of the reaction

Other Words From

• au·to·cat·a·lyt·ic [aw-toh-kat-l-, it, -ik], adjective
• auto·cata·lyti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of autocatalysis¹

First recorded in 1890–95; auto- ¹ + catalysis

Example Sentences

Comproportionation reactions result in multiple copies of some of the molecules involved, providing materials for the next steps in autocatalysis.

From Science Daily

But according to Pohorille, the potential for aggregation doesn’t automatically mean Dill is wrong about needing those hydrophobic patches to get autocatalysis started.

From Scientific American

The other main reason for autocatalysis is that new technologies and materials make it possible to generate still other new technologies by recombination.

From Literature

He demonstrated the processes of synthesis and autocatalysis that enabled such small samples to be multiplied indefinitely.

From Project Gutenberg

Since RNA would have been better at autocatalysis, it would have been favored by natural selection in the long run.

From Scientific American