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

Suberin, SUBERIN It is a lipid formed by esterification of phellonic ac...

SUBERIN It is a lipid formed by esterification of phellonic acid or its derivative with glycerol. Suberin occurs in the walls of cork cells and endodermal cells. It makes

Define the medical complications of bulimia nervosa, Define the Medical Com...

Define the Medical Complications of Bulimia Nervosa? The medical complications of bulimia nervosa range from fairly benign, transient symptoms, such as fatigue, bloating and co

Anaphase, Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  wit...

Anaphase This  phase is of shortest duration. It  begins  with  a sudden  separation  of the two chromatids of each   due  to splitting   of its centromere and  then a slow mov

Ecological pyramids - ecosystem, Ecological Pyramids - Ecosystem The a...

Ecological Pyramids - Ecosystem The ancient Egyptians constructed elaborate tombs called pyramids. The base of the pyramid is broad and it supports the upper levels of the str

Prevention of outbreak in salmonellosis, Q. Prevention of Outbreak in salmo...

Q. Prevention of Outbreak in salmonellosis? Prevention of Outbreak: The control of food borne salmonella infection requires the following: 1. Preventing food contamination

What is spectroscopy, Question Write a short note on the following ...

Question Write a short note on the following 1 Simple diffusion 2 Viscosity 3 What is spectroscopy? List and explain types of spectroscopy 4 With a neat diagram,

Phosphate group from an atp molecule, A molecule that acts by transferring ...

A molecule that acts by transferring a phosphate group from an ATP molecule to another molecule would be called: A) hydrolase. B) lipase. C) transferase. D) ligase. E) kinase.

Viruses.., are there non-parasitic viruses

are there non-parasitic viruses

Explain what is dna, Explain what is DNA? DNA : DNA is the source of t...

Explain what is DNA? DNA : DNA is the source of the information that directs the development of the cell. Although all segments of DNA are not active in every cell in the huma

Enzyme model, allosteric regulation project idea

allosteric regulation project idea

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