To understand the way that free radicals and antioxidants interact, you must first understand a bit about cells and molecules. This is a quick course in Physiology/Chemistry lesson: The human body is composed of many different types of cells.
Cells are composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds.
An atom is made up of a nucleus, proton, electrons. and neutrons. The amount of protons (particles that are positively charged) in the nucleus is what determines how many electrons (particles with a negative charge) will surround the atom.
Electrons are responsible for the chemical reactions that take place inside the atom as well as the substance that holds the atom together to form molecules. Electrons orbit the atom in one or more shells.
When two electrons are present, the innermost shell is full. When the firat shell is completely occupied, the electrons begin to fill the second shell and son..
The single most important feature in determining the chemical behavior of an atom is how many electrons are contained in the outer shell.
A compound that has a full outer shell usually does not enter in chemical reactions. Atoms look to reach a point of maximum stability by one of the following:
Loose or pick up electrons to either empty or fill the outer shell
Bonding with other atoms to share electrons to complete the outer shell
Atoms regularly complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other atoms. Sharing electrons allows the atoms that are bound together to satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.
Most of the time, these bonds do not tear apart in a way that leaves an atom with an odd, unpaired electron. When this does occur however, free radicals are formed; they are very unstable and react swiftly with other compounds in attempt to gain the needed electrons for stability.
The most common way free radicals attack is by finding the closest molecule that is stable and from there they begin the process of stealing electrons. When the molecule that is attacked starts losing the electrons, it becomes a free radical as well. When this process begins, it creates a chain reaction in which the end result is a disruption of a living cell.
During metabolism, free radicals will normally arise--there are even times when the body will naturally create free radicals for situations like neutralizing viruses and bacteria. Another way free radicals enter the body is by pollution such as radiation, smoke, and insecticides.
Typically, the body is able to handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Most importantly is that free radical damage accumulates with age. - 27772
Cells are composed of many different types of molecules. Molecules consist of one or more atoms of one or more elements joined by chemical bonds.
An atom is made up of a nucleus, proton, electrons. and neutrons. The amount of protons (particles that are positively charged) in the nucleus is what determines how many electrons (particles with a negative charge) will surround the atom.
Electrons are responsible for the chemical reactions that take place inside the atom as well as the substance that holds the atom together to form molecules. Electrons orbit the atom in one or more shells.
When two electrons are present, the innermost shell is full. When the firat shell is completely occupied, the electrons begin to fill the second shell and son..
The single most important feature in determining the chemical behavior of an atom is how many electrons are contained in the outer shell.
A compound that has a full outer shell usually does not enter in chemical reactions. Atoms look to reach a point of maximum stability by one of the following:
Loose or pick up electrons to either empty or fill the outer shell
Bonding with other atoms to share electrons to complete the outer shell
Atoms regularly complete their outer shells by sharing electrons with other atoms. Sharing electrons allows the atoms that are bound together to satisfy the conditions of maximum stability for the molecule.
Most of the time, these bonds do not tear apart in a way that leaves an atom with an odd, unpaired electron. When this does occur however, free radicals are formed; they are very unstable and react swiftly with other compounds in attempt to gain the needed electrons for stability.
The most common way free radicals attack is by finding the closest molecule that is stable and from there they begin the process of stealing electrons. When the molecule that is attacked starts losing the electrons, it becomes a free radical as well. When this process begins, it creates a chain reaction in which the end result is a disruption of a living cell.
During metabolism, free radicals will normally arise--there are even times when the body will naturally create free radicals for situations like neutralizing viruses and bacteria. Another way free radicals enter the body is by pollution such as radiation, smoke, and insecticides.
Typically, the body is able to handle free radicals, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free-radical production becomes excessive, damage can occur. Most importantly is that free radical damage accumulates with age. - 27772
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