It is necessary first to understand the meaning of these terms to comprehend the difference between oxidation and reduction.
Originally, oxidation described reactions in which an element combines with oxygen. In these reactions, the element loses electrons and is said to be oxidized. It comes from the Latin oxidare, which means “to make acid.”
The term reduction represents responses in which an element gains electrons and is said to be reduced. It comes from the Latin reducer, “to lead back.”
Oxidation and reduction occur in a redox reaction. In this process, one reactant is oxidized, called the oxidizing agent, meaning it loses an electron. The other is reduced, called the reducing agent, meaning it is gaining an electron.
For cells to function correctly, there must be a constant flow of electrons. This flow of electrons is essential to many cellular processes, including energy production.
Oxidation and reduction are significant in cell biology and other areas of science, such as chemistry and engineering. For example, rust is the result of oxidation, while the process of reducing greenhouse gases can be accomplished through the reduction
O – Oxidation is the loss (of electrons)
I – Increase in oxidation number
L – Loss of electrons
R – Reduction is Gain (of electrons)
I – Increase in reduction number
G – Gain of electrons
The following example shows how to use oxidation and reduction to describe an oxygen-atom transfer reaction:
In this reaction, the element iron is oxidized because it loses electrons. Conversely, the element chlorine is reduced because it gains electrons.
Another type of reaction involving oxidation and reduction is a hydrogen-atom transfer reaction. In this reaction, hydrogen atoms are transferred from one molecule to another.
The following example shows how to use oxidation and reduction to describe a hydrogen-atom transfer reaction:
An electron transfer reaction is the most common reaction in which oxidation and reduction occur. The following example shows how to use oxidation and reduction to describe an electron transfer reaction:
Generally, the more electronegative an element is, the better it will be at oxidizing other substances. The more electropositive an element is, the better it will be at reducing other substances.
Redox Technology is the process of reducing the skin oxidation state through the use of a topical solution. Scientific evidence shows that this technology effectively reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
The ÆTHEION® Redox Technology is based on the principle that reducing the skin's oxidation state can reverse the signs of aging.
ÆTHEION® uses a proprietary blend of ingredients that work together to reduce the skin's oxidation.