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

Energy absorbed by plants to be used in photosynthesis, Q. What is the path...

Q. What is the path followed by the energy absorbed by plants to be used in photosynthesis? The energy source of photosynthesis is the sun, the central and unique star of our p

Potential disadvantages - digitalis glycosides, Arrhythmias especially in p...

Arrhythmias especially in presence of hypokalemia, lack of mortality benefit. However, their efficacy in reducing the symptoms of heart failure has been established. Digoxin should

Define surface properties of proteins, Define Surface properties of Protein...

Define Surface properties of Proteins? The surface properties relates primarily to surface tension, emulsification and foaming characteristics of proteins, which are discussed

What are the advantages of grains, What are the Advantages of Grains D...

What are the Advantages of Grains Diabetics should have more grains, beans and starchy vegetables every day. Whole-\ grain foods are nutritious and high in fiber, such as whol

Principle of colorimetric method-2, Define Principle of colorimetric method...

Define Principle of colorimetric method-2, 4 dinitrophenylhydrazine? Ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydro ascorbic acid by copper (Cu ++ ) ions. 2, 4 dinitrophenyl hydrazine re

Inorganic substances, INORGANI C SUBSTANCES They are small, simple, lo...

INORGANI C SUBSTANCES They are small, simple, low molecular weight substances which are made of elements other than Carbon and Hydrogen combined together. Inorganic substan

Vitamin - k, VITAMIN - K Also known as naptho quionone / anti haemo...

VITAMIN - K Also known as naptho quionone / anti haemorrhagic vitamin / coagulation vitamin / menadone . It requires for formation of blood clotting factor prothrombin.

Explain non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, Non-nucleoside rev...

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) - These drugs are direct, non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Combinations of an NNRTI with NRTIs

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