Reactive oxygen species
Highly reactive molecules formed from diatomic oxygen (O2)
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Key Takeaways
- In chemistry and biology, reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen ( O 2 ), water, and hydrogen peroxide.
- ), and singlet oxygen( 1 O 2 ).
- ROS are important in many ways, both beneficial and otherwise.
- They are intermediates in the redox behavior of O 2 , which is central to fuel cells.
- Most often, however, ROS are discussed in a biological context, ranging from their effects on aging and their role in causing dangerous genetic mutations.
In chemistry and biology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2), water, and hydrogen peroxide. Some prominent ROS are hydroperoxide, superoxide (O2−), hydroxyl radical (OH.), and singlet oxygen(1O2). ROS are pervasive because they are readily produced from O2, which is abundant. ROS are important in many ways, both beneficial and otherwise. ROS function as signals, that turn on and off biological functions. They are intermediates in the redox behavior of O2, which is central to fuel cells. ROS are central to the photodegradation of organic pollutants in the atmosphere. Most often, however, ROS are discussed in a biological context, ranging from their effects on aging and their role in causing dangerous genetic mutations.
Inventory of ROS
ROS are not uniformly defined. All sources include superoxide, singlet oxygen, and hydroxyl radical. Hydrogen peroxide is not nearly as reactive as these species, but is readily activated and is thus included. Peroxynitrite and nitric oxide are reactive oxygen-containing species as well.
- Hydroxyl radical (HO·) is generated by Fenton reaction of hydrogen peroxide with ferrous compounds and related reducing agents:
- Fe(II) + H2O2 → Fe(III)OH + HO·
In its fleeting existence, the hydroxyl radical reacts rapidly irreversibly with all organic compounds.
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