Utility of Stepwise Oxidation

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that results in the loss of one or more electrons in an atom or molecule.

Utility Of Stepwise Oxidation

Catabolic processes are those that remove energy from molecules such as glucose. That is, they entail breaking down a bigger molecule into smaller fragments. When glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen, six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules are produced. This process’ overall reaction can be written as:

C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O

This larger reaction is broken down into many smaller steps in a cell. The energy stored in glucose bonds is released in tiny bursts, with some of it trapped as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a small molecule that stimulates cell operations. Although much of the energy from glucose is lost as heat, plenty is collected to keep the cell’s metabolism working.

As glucose molecules are gradually degraded, some of the degradation steps release energy that is directly captured as ATP. In these steps, phosphate groups move directly from the pathway intermediate to ADP. This is a process known as substrate level phosphorylation.

However, many other steps indirectly generate ATP. In these steps, electrons move from glucose to a small molecule known as an electron carrier. The electron transport chain carries electrons to a group of proteins in the inner mitochondria called the electron transport chain. As electrons move through the electron transport chain, they move from higher energy levels to lower energy levels and are eventually passed to oxygen (which forms water).

When an electron passes through the electron transport chain, the energy it emits is used to pump proton H+ from the mitochondrial matrix, creating an electrochemical gradient. As H+ flows down the gradient, it passes through an enzyme called ATP synthase, which promotes ATP synthesis. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation. 

When an organic fuel such as glucose is broken down using the electron transport chain, the breakdown process is called cellular respiration.

Oxidation

Biological oxidation is a biological process that involves the loss of electrons rather than the gain of electrons in the reduction process. However, oxidation and reduction are combined as a redox’ reaction, an energy-producing reaction within the cell.

Oxidation Involving Oxygen

As an older form of oxidation, oxygen has been added to a molecule. This was due to the fact that oxygen gas was the first recognised oxidising agent (O2). Although oxygen is usually introduced to a compound to meet the need for a loss of electrons and an increase in oxidation state, the oxidation idea has been expanded to include other chemical reactions.

A typical example of an oxidation reaction is the old oxidation notion of iron in combination with oxygen to generate iron oxide. Rust formed as the iron oxidised. The following is the chemical reaction:

             2Fe + O2 → Fe2O3

The oxidation of iron oxide results in the formation of rust.

Oxidation involving hydrogen

The contemporary definition of oxidation is oxygen-based oxidation. In organic chemistry, there is also another description of hydrogen that can be employed. This is the polar opposite of the idea of oxygen, which might lead to confusion. It’s still a good idea to be aware of it. According to the definition, oxidation results in the loss of hydrogen, whereas reduction results in the gain of hydrogen.

When ethanol is oxidised, for example, ethanol is generated.

            CH3CH2OH → CH3CHO

The loss of hydrogen is known to oxidise ethanol. Ethanol can be decreased by inverting the equation and adding hydrogen to it.

Oxidation Process

The processes of oxidation and reduction occur together and cannot be carried out independently. Individual oxidation and reduction processes are divided into half-reactions, which are then combined to make a whole reaction. The acquired or lost electrons are expressly employed to balance the half-reaction with the electric charge. When these half-reactions are combined to form a net chemical equation, the electrons tend to cancel out.

Oxidizers

Oxidizers are compounds that have the ability to lose electrons from another substance and are referred to as oxidising or oxidative agents. In other words, the oxidising agent reduces another material by removing electrons from it. Because it receives an electron, the oxidising agent is also known as an electron acceptor. Oxidizing agents include compounds with strong oxidation states, such as H2O2, MnO–4, and highly electronegative elements, such as O2, F2.

Reducers

Reducers are compounds that have the ability to reduce or reduce other molecules, causing them to gain electrons. They are referred to as “reduction agents.” They oxidise themselves and transfer electrons to other materials. Furthermore, because it provides an electron to another material, the reducing agent is also known as an electron donor. Electropositive metals such as sodium, magnesium, iron, and others are ideal examples of reducing agents.

Conclusion

Glycolysis, TCA cycle, ETS, and oxidative phosphorylation are the four processes of aerobic respiration. ATP is created in a progressive manner during aerobic respiration. The substrate of the other phase is formed by the product of one phase. Several of the chemicals produced also play a role in other biological processes. Respiratory substrates enter and exit the route according to their needs. Wherever ATP is necessary, it is used, and enzymatic rates are normally regulated. The system becomes more efficient at acquiring and storing energy as a result of this progressive energy release.