Toxic Forms of Oxygen Flashcards
Why are certain forms of Oxygen devastating to bacteria?
They rapidly oxidize cellular DNA and Proteins
What is singlet oxygen?
Normal O2 that has been bumped into a higher energy state
Why is singlet oxygen dangerous?
It is extremely reactive and disruptive to normally stable bonds
What is a Superoxide Free Radical?
An oxygen molecule with an unpaired electron
How are Superoxide Free Radicals made?
Formed in small amounts during respiration
Why are Superoxide Free Radicals dangerous?
They steal electrons from other molecules, creating other radicals that steal electrons as well
What are Peroxides?
A toxic molecule produced in the cell from the break down of other oxygen species O2^-2
What do specialized immune cells do with Peroxides?
- Destroy captured microbes
- Keep ^ in specially designed organelles
What do Hydroxyl Radicals do?
They also steal electrons disrupting chemical bonds
