What happens to the catalyst at the end of a chemical reaction?

In a chemical reaction, a catalyst is a substance that accelerates the reaction without being consumed or permanently altered in the process. At the end of the reaction, the catalyst remains chemically unchanged and can be reused in subsequent reactions. This characteristic of catalysts allows them to facilitate multiple reactions over time without the need for replenishment, making them essential for many biological processes and industrial applications.

This is in contrast to the other options. A catalyst does not become a product, meaning the first choice is incorrect. It also does not turn into a reactant or become destroyed in the reaction, which eliminates the last two alternatives. Thus, the correct statement regarding a catalyst's role is that it remains intact and available for further use after the reaction has occurred.