#2: Redox Reactions

Question 1

Oxidation

Answer 1

Describes a substance that either:

a) loses one or more e-,or hydrogen atoms
b) gains one or more oxygen atoms

Question 2

Reduction

Answer 2

Describes a substance that either:

a) gains one or more e-, or hydrogen atoms
b) loses one or more oxygen atoms

Question 3

Reducing agent

Answer 3

substance that provides the electrons in a reaction

Question 4

Oxidizing agent

Answer 4

substance that accepts the electrons in a reaction

Question 5

Organic fuel molecules

C-H Bonds

Answer 5

contain many C-H bonds

Good energy source because they have relatively small nuclei, and electrons have a weaker pull towards smaller nuclei
Electrons in C-H bonds are easily pulled closer to a larger nuclei, releasing energy

Oxygen molecules work in the exact opposite way, atoms from other elements are pulled in very close to the nuclei (losing potential energy)

Question 6

The MORE STABLE the valence shell of an element…

Answer 6

the LESS POTENTIAL ENERGY those electrons have

Question 7

The LESS STABLE the valence shell of an element…

Answer 7

the MORE POTENTIAL ENERGY those electrons have

Question 8

Controlled Oxidation

Answer 8

in cells controlled by a series of enzyme mediated reactions

energy released is transferred to the next step with little lost to thermal

ex: water and hydroelectricity

Question 9

Rapid Combustion

Answer 9

All energy given off at once cannot be easily harnessed to drive metabolic reactions

ex: marshmallows

Question 10

Energy Carriers

Dehydrogenases

Answer 10

When glucose is oxidized by oxygen to form CO2 and H20, enzymes called dehydrogenases are used

Dehydrogenases facilitate the transfer of high-energy electrons from food to molecules that act as carriers/shuttles

Very high efficiency, used in ETC