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 the phase contrast microscope, Explain the Phase Contrast Microscop...

Explain the Phase Contrast Microscop? Unpigmented and unstained living cells can be easily observed by phase contrast microscope. It has a special objective and a condenser th

Cell membrane, CELL MEMBRANE It is biological, thin, elastic, flexib...

CELL MEMBRANE It is biological, thin, elastic, flexible & selective permeable membrane. Term "Cell membrane" was coined by Negeli & Crammer 1855. Term " Plasma membr

Explain cell signaling, In multicellular organisms there is a requirement f...

In multicellular organisms there is a requirement for the cells to communicate with one another in order to coordinate their metabolism and growth.  The principal way by  that  cel

Protozoa, what are the disadvantages of protozoa?

what are the disadvantages of protozoa?

Cyclosporine, Cyclosporine Immunosuppressive agent that is selective...

Cyclosporine Immunosuppressive agent that is selective for lymphocytes mainly "T" lymphocytes. Route: Oral, parental, dose as prescribed. Side-effects: Ne

Define cancer - excessive fat intake, Define Cancer - excessive fat intake?...

Define Cancer - excessive fat intake? Role of fat in cancer is debatable. High fat intake is indicated as a risk factor to cancer of breast, colon etc. Saturated fat intake has

Population and sigmoid curve, Name two possible why the number of live bact...

Name two possible why the number of live bacteria cell have reached the stationary growth by 60hrs and start to die off after 12hrs?

What are some of the things scientists may do analyze data, What are some o...

What are some of the things scientists may do to analyze data? They may use statistics to determine relation- ships among variables, compare the data with those obtained in ot

Explain butylated hydroxyanisole, Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) It is ...

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) It is commercially available as a mixture of two isomers and has found wide commercial use in the food industry. It is highly soluble in oil and

Define principle of detection of metanil yellow, Define Principle of Detect...

Define Principle of Detection of Metanil Yellow? Non-permitted colours like lead chromate, metanil yellow, auramine, rhodamine B are used to brighten the foods especially spice

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