Oxidation and Reduction Reactions in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, alcohol classifications, coenzyme functions, and biochemistry applications of oxidation and reduction reactions.

Oxidation (General Chemistry Definition)

A process involving the loss of electrons, commonly seen with metals (e.g., a sodium atom losing an electron to become a sodium ion).

Reduction (General Chemistry Definition)

A process involving the gain of electrons, usually occurring in nonmetals.

Oxidation (Organic and Biochemistry Definition)

A chemical process where an atom gains oxygen (becomes attached to more oxygen atoms in the product than in the reactant) or loses hydrogen (becomes attached to fewer hydrogen atoms).

Reduction (Organic and Biochemistry Definition)

A chemical process where an atom loses oxygen (becomes attached to fewer oxygen atoms) or gains hydrogen (becomes attached to more hydrogen atoms).

Alcohol

A molecule formed when an hydroxyl group ($\text{-OH}$) is connected to an alkane-type carbon atom.

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol in which the hydroxyl-carrying carbon atom is attached to one other carbon atom; it oxidizes to an aldehyde by losing two hydrogen atoms.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol in which the hydroxyl-carrying carbon atom is attached to two other carbon atoms; it oxidizes to a ketone by losing two hydrogen atoms.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol in which the hydroxyl-carrying carbon atom is attached to three other carbon atoms; it cannot be oxidized.

Aldehyde Oxidation

The chemical oxidation of an aldehyde functional group through the gain of an oxygen atom, producing a carboxylic acid.

Oxidized Coenzymes

Biological oxidizing agents, such as $\text{NAD}^+$ and $\text{FAD}$, that remove hydrogen atoms from substrate molecules.

Malate Oxidation

A step in the citric acid cycle where malate (a secondary alcohol) loses two hydrogen atoms to $\text{NAD}^+$ and is oxidized to oxaloacetate (a ketone).

Succinate Oxidation

A reaction where succinate loses two hydrogen atoms to $\text{FAD}$ (forming $\text{FADH}_2$) and is oxidized to fumarate.

Catalytic Hydrogenation

A reduction reaction in which functional groups containing double bonds (alkenes, aldehydes, and ketones) react with hydrogen gas in the presence of a platinum catalyst.

Reduced Coenzymes

Biological reducing agents, such as $Sockets\text{NADH}$and$\text{FADH}_2$$, that supply hydrogen atoms during reduction steps in metabolism.

Pyruvate Reduction

A metabolic reaction following glycolysis where pyruvate (a ketone) gains hydrogen atoms from $\text{NADH}$ and $\text{H}^+$ to produce lactate (a secondary alcohol).

Partial Hydrogenation

A process using fewer hydrogen molecules than required for full saturation (e.g., using 2 $\text{H}_2$ molecules on a triglyceride with 4 alkene groups) to convert vegetable oil into a semi-solid product like margarine or Crisco sticks.

Sorbitol

An alcohol sugar and artificial sweetener produced by reducing the aldehyde functional group of glucose; used for diabetic patients because it does not increase blood glucose concentrations.

Xylitol

An alcohol sugar produced by reducing the aldehyde functional group of xylose; used in sugarless gum to decrease the risk of dental cavities.