Free radicals

Definition

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons in their outer shell. They can cause significant damage to cells and DNA by initiating oxidative reactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Free radicals are often produced during food irradiation processes, which involve exposing food to high levels of ionizing radiation.
2. In the human body, free radicals are known to cause oxidative stress, which is linked to various diseases including cancer and heart disease.
3. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals by donating an electron, thus preventing cellular damage.
4. The balance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses is crucial for maintaining cellular health.
5. Ionizing radiation used in medical applications and food irradiation creates free radicals by breaking molecular bonds.

Review Questions

• What role do free radicals play in the context of food irradiation?
• How can antioxidants mitigate the effects of free radicals?
• Why is it important to maintain a balance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses?

Related terms

Oxidative Stress: A condition caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to counteract their harmful effects with antioxidants.

Ionizing Radiation:

High-energy radiation that has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions.

Antioxidants: Molecules that can donate an electron to a free radical without becoming destabilized themselves, thereby neutralizing the free radical.