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Redox (Reduction-Oxidation) Reactions

These types of reactions are important in biology and occur very often in the cell.
  • An oxidation reaction is always coupled with a reduction reaction.
  • Oxidation is the loss of electrons by an atom (said atom is oxidized);
  • Reduction is the gaining of electrons by an atom (said atom is reduced).



Wize Concept
Oxidized atoms can be seen as either losing bonds with hydrogen atoms (e-) or gaining bonds to oxygen atoms;
Reduced atoms can be seen as gaining bonds to hydrogen atoms or losing bonds to oxygen atoms.

Practice: Redox (Reduction-Oxidation) Reactions

Rank compounds 1-5 from least to most oxidized:




Practice: Redox Reactions 2

Looking at the reaction below, what is true for the 4 numbered carbons?