Free Radicals and Antioxidants in Biochemistry
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Questions and Answers

What is the defining characteristic of a free radical?

  • It contains only paired electrons
  • It has a long life span
  • It contains one or more unpaired electrons (correct)
  • It has a stable outer orbital
  • What does oxidation involve?

  • Gain in oxygen (correct)
  • Loss of oxygen
  • Loss of hydrogen or electrons
  • Gain of hydrogen or electrons
  • What is the role of reductants?

  • Oxidize another chemical compound by accepting electrons, hydrogen
  • React quickly with other compounds
  • Reduces another chemical compound by donating electrons, hydrogen (correct)
  • Have a short life span
  • What makes free radicals highly reactive?

    <p>They are unstable and try to become stable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are free radicals represented?

    <p>By a superscript dot to the right (R.)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Free Radicals

    • Defining characteristic: having one or more unpaired electrons, making them highly reactive
    • Oxidation involves the loss of one or more electrons, resulting in the formation of a free radical

    Reactivity of Free Radicals

    • Highly reactive due to the presence of unpaired electrons, which seek to form a bond with other molecules
    • This reactivity leads to a chain reaction of oxidation, causing damage to cells and molecules

    Reductants

    • Play a crucial role in counteracting the effects of free radicals by donating electrons
    • Reduce the oxidation state of a molecule, thereby neutralizing the free radical

    Representation of Free Radicals

    • Often represented by a dot (•) or an asterisk (*) symbol, indicating the presence of an unpaired electron
    • Chemical structure is typically denoted with a dot or asterisk beside the symbol of the atom or molecule

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of free radicals, antioxidants, and redox chemistry with this quiz. Learn the basics of oxidation, reduction, oxidants, reductants, and the nature of free radicals in biological systems.

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