Redox reactions play a vital role in many cellular processes. Which of the following statements and examples best describes redox reactions in living things?
A) Redox reactions involve the absorption of light, where the molecule that gains light is reduced, and the molecule that loses light is oxidized.
B) Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons, where the molecule that gains electrons is reduced, and the molecule that loses electrons is oxidized.
C) Redox reactions involve the absorption of energy, where the molecule that gains energy is reduced, and the molecule that loses energy is oxidized.
D) Redox reactions involve the formation of covalent bonds, where the molecule that gains bonds is reduced, and the molecule that loses bonds is oxidized.
E) Redox reactions involve the destruction of molecules, where the molecule that gains fragments is reduced, and the molecule that loses fragments is oxidized.
IMAT 2023 · Question 19
Q19 - Redox reactions in living things
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The correct answer is B) Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons, where the molecule that gains electrons is reduced, and the molecule that loses electrons is oxidized.
Redox is all about electrons: oxidation is losing them, reduction is gaining them (OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain).
In cells you see it everywhere: NAD⁺ picks up electrons to become NADH in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain passes electrons down to oxygen.
The other options swap electrons for light, energy, bonds or fragments. Those things can come along with redox reactions, but they're not what defines them.
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