KIN 406 Midterm 3 Flashcards
Redox reactions involve?
Addition (reduction) or removal (oxidation) of electrons
A pro-oxidant/oxidant is a?
oxidizing agent…accepts e_ from other molecules and it reduced itself
An antioxidant is a?
reducing agent…gives e- to another species and is oxidized itself
In a stable atom, electrons?
occupy each orbital with opposite spins to each other
What is a free radical?
an atom with an unpaired electron in an orbital
Why are free radicals so reactive?
Because of their unpaired electron
How do free raddicals become more stable?
By seeking to accept an e- from another molecule (could be a protein, a lipid, DNA, etc)
Redox reactions involving free radicals “stealing” electrons will continue until a terminal reaction is reached. What are two examples of these terminal reactions?
When radicals react with each other to form new nonradical species, or if it is quenched by an anti-oxidant to give a non-radical species.
What is a reactive oxygen species?
Compounds derived from partial chemical reductions of molecular oxygen
Are ROS always free radicals?
NO, because they don’t always contain unpaired electrons but are still highly reactive because chemical structure still wants to steal e-
What is ground state O2 like?
Has 2 unpaired electrons in different orbitals (diradical), however, it is stable because both electrons have identical spins…will not readily react with most molecules that e- in opposite spins
What can cause the reverse of the spin of one of electron to form reactive singlet oxygen (1O2)?
input of energy, such as radiation
How is the superoxid radical formed?
a one electron reduction of oxygen
What is superoxide usually converted to spontaneously because it is so reactive?
H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide)
Is H2O2 a free radical?
NO, because it has no upaired electrons, but it is a ROS
What is the functional difference between superoxide and hydrogen peroxide?
It is more stable than superoxide and is very long lived, so it can travel long distances, and it can readily pass through biological membranes.
What is H2O2 easily converted into?
A more highly reactive hydroxyl radical
What is the reaction for H2O2 –> hydroxyl radical?
Fenton reaction with a transition metal…Fe2+ + H2O2 —> Fe3+ + hydroxyl radical + stable hydroxide ion
What is nitric oxide?
a nitrogen based free radical/reactive nitrogen species
What is the reaction between nitric oxide and superoxide?
nitric oxide + superoxide —> peroxynitrire (ONOO-)
What is OONO-?
peroxynitrite…very long lived and very reactive
Why are free radicals, ROS, and RNS so bad?
can lethally damage proteins, DNA, and lipids which ultimately affect cell function
What are the 2 forms of antioxidants in the cell?
antioxidant enzymes and biological (chemical) antioxidants
What are the main antioxidants in the cell?
superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, gluthione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-tranferase (GST)