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

Explain adverse effects of caspofungin, Explain Adverse Effects of Caspofun...

Explain Adverse Effects of Caspofungin Although generally well tolerated, caspofungin occasionally causes rash, fever and mild hepatic toxicity (Medical Letter 2001; 43:58). An

Simplification and selection of information of consciousness, Q. Simplifica...

Q. Simplification and Selection of information of Consciousness? Simplification and Selection of information: There is much "editing" that goes on in the mind-from the first cu

What is primary motor cortex, Q. What is Primary Motor Cortex? Located ...

Q. What is Primary Motor Cortex? Located in precentral gyrus of frontal lobe (anterior to central sulcus, which separates frontal and parietal lobes.  Neurons called pyramidal

Patients with mild mitral regurgitation, Q. Patients with mild mitral regur...

Q. Patients with mild mitral regurgitation? Patients with mild mitral regurgitation and normal left ventricular size and function do well long term, However, those with severe

What is the classification of burns, What is the Classification of Burns? ...

What is the Classification of Burns? Burns can be classified on the basis of the extent, depth, patient age and associated illness or injury. On the basis of depth, burns are u

Digestive system, what is the function of the tongue in the digestive syste...

what is the function of the tongue in the digestive system?

Explain use of rifaximin, Rifaximin (Xifaxan)  An anon-absorbed oral an...

Rifaximin (Xifaxan)  An anon-absorbed oral antibiotic, was about as effective as ciprofloxacin for treatment of travelers' diarrhea, mostly caused by E. coli. It is not effecti

Interact with parent and child to exchange information , Interact with the ...

Interact with the Parent and Child to Exchange Information   At this time the nurse can learn why the child has come to the hospital and the concerns and expectations he and hi

Explain the coverage of ecology and evolution, Coverage of Ecology AND Evol...

Coverage of Ecology AND Evolution to include: Ecology Impact of HTC and/or IRC on chemical usage and the ecological and/or evolutionary impact of the chemical usage

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