Which statement about catalysts in nail gel systems is most accurate?

• A. They are always added after curing is complete.
• B. They determine the final color of the gel.
• C. They directly become a permanent part of the polymer chain.
• D. They accelerate the reaction and are not consumed in the process.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how a catalyst functions in nail gel systems. A catalyst is included to speed up the curing reaction when the gel is exposed to light or heat, helping the monomers link together quickly to form the solid film. It acts as a temporary facilitator that starts and accelerates polymerization, but it isn’t meant to become a permanent part of the finished gel. That’s why it doesn’t determine the final color—color comes from pigments and the resin system, not from the catalyst. And catalysts are part of the formulation to enable curing during the exposure step, not something you add after curing is complete.