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Questions and Answers
What is the typical duration of radicals in biological systems?
What is the typical duration of radicals in biological systems?
- 10–9 - 10–12 day
- 10–9 - 10–12 second (correct)
- 10–9 - 10–12 minute
- 10–9 - 10–12 hour
What is the primary mechanism by which free radicals stabilize?
What is the primary mechanism by which free radicals stabilize?
- By attacking the nearest stable molecule and stealing its electron (correct)
- By donating an electron to a nearby molecule
- By undergoing a nucleophilic substitution reaction
- By forming covalent bonds with other molecules
What is the consequence of a chain reaction initiated by a free radical?
What is the consequence of a chain reaction initiated by a free radical?
- The disruption of a living cell (correct)
- The formation of a stable molecule
- The creation of a new covalent bond
- The initiation of a new metabolic pathway
What type of free radicals are most damaging in biological systems?
What type of free radicals are most damaging in biological systems?
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What is the term sometimes used to describe oxygen free radicals?
What is the term sometimes used to describe oxygen free radicals?
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Study Notes
Radicals
- Radicals are highly reactive molecular species with an unpaired electron formed from the split of a weak bond of a molecule.
- Radicals persist for only a very short time, ranging from 10-9 to 10-12 seconds.
- They are also called "free radicals" because they float freely around until they stabilize.
Formation of Chain Reaction
- Radicals stabilize by attacking the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron.
- When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction.
Damage Caused by Free Radicals
- Oxygen free radicals (also called reactive oxygen species) are the most damaging free radicals in biological systems.
- Chain reactions caused by free radicals can cascade, resulting in the disruption of a living cell.
- Free radicals can cause tissue damage, leading to cellular disruption.
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Description
Learn about highly reactive molecular species called radicals, their formation and longevity, and how they lead to chain reactions. Discover how they stabilize by attacking nearest stable molecules.
