What is reduction, Biology

Assignment Help:

What is reduction?

The most commonly understood definition of reduction is the removal of oxygen or addition of hydrogen ions. However, chemically, reduction can be defined as gain of electrons just as oxidation is loss of electrons. Let us look at the illustration:

 

18_What is reduction.png

Thus, the substance that a gains electron is reduced and that loses electrons is oxidized. In the above equations, cupric gains electrons and becomes cuprous in reduction and vice versa in oxidation. In an oxidation-reduction reaction, the electron donor is oxidized and the electron acceptor is reduced. See the reaction below:

2Na + Cl2 → NaCl

The sodium is oxidized since it has lost electrons and chloride is reduced as it has gained those electrons. In organic reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions usually involve loss or gain of hydrogen. Thus, to summarize, reduction is gain of electrons, gain of hydrogen or removal of oxygen and oxidation is loss of electrons, gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen.


Related Discussions:- What is reduction

Determine the prevention of cholera, Determine the prevention of Cholera ...

Determine the prevention of Cholera Prevention:  Following recommendations are  there to prevent cholera  outbreak: Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with

Food and diet, state one benefit of including vegetable fibre in the diet

state one benefit of including vegetable fibre in the diet

Obelia, why obelia shows an intermediate grade of organisation

why obelia shows an intermediate grade of organisation

Explain polio, Explain Polio Adults who have not previously been immuni...

Explain Polio Adults who have not previously been immunized against polio should receive a primary series of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) if traveling to areas where polio i

What are the differences between astral and anastral mitosis, What are the ...

What are the differences between astral and anastral mitosis? Astral mitosis is that in which there is structure of the aster, a structure made by the centrioles. Anastral mito

Function of the secretions of the seminal vesicle, Q. What is the function ...

Q. What is the function of the secretions of the seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethral glands in reproduction? These secretions along with sperm cells from the testicles

Define lipid-anchored proteins, A large number of integral proteins in euka...

A large number of integral proteins in eukaryotes do not traverse the membrane but are anchored in one or other leaflet of the bilayer through covalent attachment to a hydrocarbon

Define radiological anatomy, Q. Define Radiological anatomy? The border...

Q. Define Radiological anatomy? The borders of the mediastinum on the CXR are defined by the contrast produced by adjacent air filled lung. Postero-Anterior View It in

Informatics, Informatics  is the study of the application of computer and s...

Informatics  is the study of the application of computer and statistical techniques to the management of information. In the genome projects, informatics includes the development o

Define fraction in which calcium in plasma is present, Define Fraction in w...

Define Fraction in which Calcium in plasma is Present? Calcium in plasma is present in three major fractions: Ionized calcium Protein bound calcium Complexed c

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd