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

Methods of gene transfer in transgenic animals, M e thods of gene transfe...

M e thods of gene transfer The technology employed for introduction of transgenes into a livestock population may produce consequences specific to the method. Once introduced

Biostatistic.., biostatistical application in biotechnology

biostatistical application in biotechnology

Does ph affect the enzyme activity, Does pH affect the enzyme activity? ...

Does pH affect the enzyme activity? The concentration of hydrogen ions in solution affects the enzyme activity. Every enzyme has maximal efficiency under an optimum pH. As p

Explain the alpha-helix and the beta-sheet protein, Normal 0 fa...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Explain about non ionising radiation, Q. Explain about Non ionising radiati...

Q. Explain about Non ionising radiation? Non ionising radiation include infrared and UV rays. Lethal effect is through generation of heat and DNA damage. Penetration is low but

Administer accurate and appropriate antibiotics, Administer Accurate and Ap...

Administer Accurate and Appropriate Antibiotics: Appropriate antibiotics to which organism isolated from sputum or bonchoscopic aspirate, is sensitive are administered for 4-6

Explain tuberculosis, Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious...

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease which is caused by a bacterium - Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  It affects the lungs most commonly but call gel localize

Fats requirement in pectic ulcer, Q. Fats requirement in pectic ulcer? ...

Q. Fats requirement in pectic ulcer? Fats: These delay the gastric emptying. The products of fat digestion in the small intestine stimulate entrogastrone, which inhibits gastri

Define energy requirement during thyphoid, Energy Energy: Fever  is cha...

Energy Energy: Fever  is characterized by  elevation of BMR,  thus caloric requirements are increased.. The increase  in  caloric needs is dependent on  severity  of  infection

Explain natural history of mitral stenosis, Q. Explain Natural History of M...

Q. Explain Natural History of Mitral Stenosis ? Untreated, mitral stenosis is a serious disease with observed 10-year mortality of 70-80 per cent in sy

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