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

Which structures of the body have more bones, Q. Which structures of the bo...

Q. Which structures of the body have more bones for their size than any other part of the body? Hand and wrist have more bones in them for their size than any other part of bod

Explain the criteria for assessment of vitamin status, Explain the Criteria...

Explain the Criteria for Assessment of Vitamin Status? Vitamin E is assessed by determining the plasma lipid fraction levels. 0.8 mg of total tocopherol/g total plasma lipids i

Define the chemical fixation method, Define the Chemical Fixation Method? ...

Define the Chemical Fixation Method? Here chemical fixatives containing ethanol, acetic acid and formaldehyde etc. penetrates the cell and inactivates and immobilizes cellular

Solar tracking - nastic and epinastic responses, Solar Tracking - Nastic an...

Solar Tracking - Nastic and Epinastic Responses Many plants such as sun flowers are capable of solar tracking in which the flat blade of leaves or inflorescence will remain a

Phloem, why phloem made of living cells

why phloem made of living cells

Pathophysiology and assessment of haemophilia, Pathophysiology   The bl...

Pathophysiology   The blood clotting mechanism occurs in three phases each dependent on preceding I phase. Due to the inherited deficiency of  factor VIII and or factor IX, the

What would be the flow rate, The physician orders 2 liters of lactated ring...

The physician orders 2 liters of lactated ringers over 16 hours. The drip factor of the tubing is 20 gtt/cc. What will be the flow rate? a. 33.33 or 34 gtt/min b. 41.66 or 42

Explain stage of total biological inactivity, Is the stage when an insect l...

Is the stage when an insect larva is within a cocoon a stage of total biological inactivity? The period when the larva is inside its cocoon is a time of intense biological acti

To study whether bacteria grow best where it is moist or dry, To study whet...

To study whether bacteria grow best where it is moist or dry Use 2 sterile dishes. Inoculate each one by touching a sterile transmit needle to a bacteria colony rowing in anoth

Transportation of gases in tracheophytes vascular tissues, Is the transport...

Is the transportation of gases in tracheophytes made through the vascular tissues? The Carbon dioxide and The Oxygen are not transported through the xylem or phloem. These gase

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