BSCi170: REDOX Reactions

notes from 10/31

Difference between ionic and covalent bonds

Ionic: electrons are transferred

Covalent: electrons are shared

Order of Electronegativity and what this means

Electronegativity: affinity for attracting electrons. The higher your electronegativity is, the more attracted you are to bonding to electrons

(in order of highest to lowest)

• O

• N

• C

• H

Cellular Respiration definition

series of metabolic reactions that take energy from the bonds in glucose and transforms it into a usable for of energy

• tracks the path of electrons moving through the metabolic pathways

Steps of cellular respiration

1. Glycolysis

2. Citric Acid Cycle

3. Electron Transport Chain

Cellular Respiration Equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO_{2 + 6} H₂O + ATP

What is reduced in the equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO_{2 + 6} H₂O + ATP

H₂O

What is the oxidizing agent in the equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO_{2 + 6} H₂O + ATP

O₂

What is oxidized in the equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO_{2 + 6} H₂O + ATP

CO₂

What is the reducing agent in the equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO_{2 + 6} H₂O + ATP

C₆H₁₂O₆

Oxidation and its characteristics

loses electrons

• less negative

• loses H

• more O

• catabolic (exergonic)

• reducing agent

Reduction and its characteristics

Gains electrons

• more negative

• more H

• less O 

• oxidizing agent

• anabolic (endergonic)

What are electron carriers and what are its characteristics

small molecules that transfer high-energy electrons from 1 molecule to another

• can be easily reduced and oxidized, which is why they have 2 forms

• usually are modified nucleotides

• typically act as coenzymes

NAD Oxidized and Reduced Form + How many electrons and H ions they accept

Oxidized: NAD+

Reduced: NADH

• accepts 2 electrons and 1 H

NADP Oxidized and Reduced Form + How many electrons and H ions they accept

Oxidized: NADP+

Reduced: NADPH

• accepts 2 electrons and 1 H

FAD Oxidized and Reduced Form + How many electrons and H ions they accept

Oxidized: FAD

Reduced: FADH₂

• accepts 2 electrons and 2 H

FMN Oxidized and Reduced Form + How many electrons and H ions they accept

Oxidized: FMN

Reduced: FMNH₂

• accepts 2 electrons and 2 H