Redox Reactions
Chemical reactions involving the transfer of one or more electrons
from one atom to another
O I L R I G or L E O says G E R
E.g. NaCl
+ –
Na Cl Na Cl
Always coupled
Oxygen is very electronegative (attracts electrons strongly) and is
thus a potent oxidizing agent
A B– C D–
Reversibility of Metabolic Reactions
All metabolic reactions are enzyme catalyzed and are reversible
In order to keep the reactions moving forward living systems are
kept at disequilibrium (i.e. products must not be allowed to
accumulate or rxn will reach equilibrium )
The products of one reaction are often used as reactants in another
reaction and the final product is either removed from the cell or
precipitated out of solution as a solid
o CO2 is expelled from the cell following cellular respiration
o glucose is polymerized into insoluble starch granules in
plants following photosynthesis