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

Treatment of diarrhoea, Treatment   Most cases of diarrhoea do not need...

Treatment   Most cases of diarrhoea do not need antibiotic therapy as the bacterial or parasitic organism are not isolated from most of the cases. However chemotherapeutics  ar

Explain about the fermentation - methods of food processing, Explain about ...

Explain about the Fermentation - methods of food processing? In contrast to other preservation methods, multiplication of microorganisms and their metabolic activities are enco

Inhibition might contribute to tumor formation, We now understand that muta...

We now understand that mutations that cause the inhibition of apoptosis are found in tumors. Because proliferation itself is not induced by the inhibition of apoptosis, explain how

Explain about the dehydration or drying, Explain about the Dehydration or D...

Explain about the Dehydration or Drying? The technique of drying is the oldest method of food preservation practiced by mankind. The removal of moisture, which is actually dehy

Fats are essential for meeting nutritional need of essential, Why Fats are ...

Why Fats are essential for meeting nutritional need of essential? Fats are essential for meeting nutritional needs of essential, fatty acids like linoleic acid (n-6) and alpha

Explain the shear or moment diagrams, Explain the Shear or Moment Diagrams ...

Explain the Shear or Moment Diagrams Shear diagram changes by magnitude of the load. Shear is constant along unloaded portions of a beam For a point load, the she

Mode of nutition, What is the mode of nutrition of Ascaris?

What is the mode of nutrition of Ascaris?

Nature of disease, Q. Nature of disease? Education is very important fo...

Q. Nature of disease? Education is very important for diabetics because it is a lifelong disorder. In order to enable the patient to lead a healthy and a good quality Life free

Define factors influencing rs content of foods, Define Factors Influencing ...

Define Factors Influencing RS Content of Foods? Different fractions of RS mentioned in Table may be naturally present in some foods or may be generated as a result of industria

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