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 synaptic process, Since neurotransmitters are not consumed in...

Since neurotransmitters are not consumed in the synaptic process, what are the mechanisms to decrease their concentrations in the synaptic cleft after they have been used? As t

Which hormones secreted by adrenal medulla, Q. What are the hormones secret...

Q. What are the hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla? What are their respective functions? The medullary portion of the adrenals secretes hormones of the catecholamine grou

How do dioxins enter the human diet, Normal 0 false false f...

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

What are cnidocytes, What are cnidocytes? What is the name of the capsule i...

What are cnidocytes? What is the name of the capsule inside the cnidocyte? What are the biological functions of this structure? Cnidocytes are specialized cells present in coel

How to improve the quality of protein in the diet, How to improve the Quali...

How to improve the Quality of Protein in the Diet? Since the net protein utilization (NPU) values of milk or egg proteins are higher than those of proteins of average diets con

Explain nsp and food hydrocolloids, NSP NSP or dietary fibre is the nam...

NSP NSP or dietary fibre is the name given to a group of materials found in the cell walls of plants which gives the plant its structure and form. Food hydrocolloids Fo

Why are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat infections, Why are broad-...

Why are broad-spectrum antibiotics often used to treat infections caused by unidentified pathogens? What is the danger associated with overusing such antibiotics? As broad-spec

Bioluminescence, #question.which annelids shws bioluminescence .

#question.which annelids shws bioluminescence .

What is asexual reproduction, What is Asexual Reproduction? Asexual re...

What is Asexual Reproduction? Asexual reproduction occurs in prokaryotes through the process of binary fission. Primitive eukaryotes and plants also reproduce by various t

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