3. Recognizing Oxidation and Reduction Reactions One biochemical strategy of man

Question

3. Recognizing Oxidation and Reduction Reactions One biochemical strategy of many living organisms is the stepwise oxidation of organic compounds to CO2 and H20 and the conservation of a major part of the energy thus produced in the form of ATP. It is important to be able to recognize oxidation-reduction processes in metabolism. Reduction of an organic molecule results from the hydrogenation of a double bond (Eqn 1, below) or of a single bond with accompanying cleavage (Eqn 2). Conversely, oxidation results from dehydrogenation.

Explanation / Answer

Oxidation:
i. Loss of hydrogen
ii. Addition of oxygen
iii. Loss of electrons
iv. Increase in oxidation number

Reduction:
i. Loss of oxygen
ii. Addition of hydrogen
iii. Gain of electrons
iv. Decrease in oxidation number

a. Dehydrogenation (Oxidation)
Methanol ------> Formaldehyde + H2

b. Dehydrogenation (Oxidation)
Formaldehyde + NAD+ + H2O -----> Formate + NADH + H+

c. Hydrogenation (Reduction)
CO2 + NADH + H+ -----> HCOOH + NAD+

d. Hydrogenation (Reduction)
Glycerate + NADH + H+ ------> Glyceraldehyde + NAD+

e. Dehydrogenation (Oxidation)
Glycerol + NAD+ + H2O -----> DHAP + NADH + H+

f. Dehydrogenation (Oxidation)
Toulene -----> benzoate + 2H+

g. Dehydrogenation (Oxidation)
Succinate -----> Fumerate + 2H+

h. Oxidative decarboxylation
Pyruvate ------> Acetate + CO2

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 3
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.