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

Dreams, what do our brain and heart do when we are asleep?

what do our brain and heart do when we are asleep?

Circulatory system transports gases, Q. What are the three kinds of respira...

Q. What are the three kinds of respiration in which the circulatory system transports gases? The circulatory system has an important role in branchial respiration, cutaneous re

What emergency department after an automobile accident, An 22 year old man ...

An 22 year old man is admitted to the emergency department after an automobile accident. He has not lost a large amount of blood, but he suffers from a severe crush injury to hi

Sporophytic incompatibility, Sporophytic Incompatibility The recogniti...

Sporophytic Incompatibility The recognition and rejection reactions in a SSI system occur on the stigma surface, placing barriers for pollen germination or penetration of poll

Poultry and duck diseases-duck plague, Duck plague Duck plague, caused ...

Duck plague Duck plague, caused by a member of Herpesviridae, has world wide distribution and occurs among domestic and wild ducks, geese, swans and waterfowls. Epidemiolo

How does glucose help in the formation of atp from adp?, GLUCOSE IS OXIDISE...

GLUCOSE IS OXIDISED TO PRODUCE ENERGY TO GIVE ADP TO FORM ATP

Define proteins, Define Proteins, Carbohydrates required for anorexia nervo...

Define Proteins, Carbohydrates required for anorexia nervosa? A. Proteins To ensure adequacy, minimum protein intake should equal the recommended dietary intake for age and

Colibacillosis of poultry, Colibacillosis of poultry Colibacillosis is...

Colibacillosis of poultry Colibacillosis is an important disease among poultry, especially among broiler chicks aged 6-9 weeks and less frequently of young chicks during first

Structure of proteins, STRUCTUR E OF PROTEINS Proteins which are mixed...

STRUCTUR E OF PROTEINS Proteins which are mixed polymers of amino acids can have up to four structural levels - Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary 1 .       PRIMA

Explain the anthropometric measurements, Anthropometric measurements An...

Anthropometric measurements Anthropometry is the study of the measurement of the human body in terms of the dimensions of bone, muscle, and adipose (fat) tissue. Anthropometric

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