NUTR 1010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Unpaired Electron, Antioxidant, Adipose Tissue
Document Summary
Antioxidants: prevent oxidation (when atoms lose electrons: vit e donates electron to free radicals, stabilizing them and preventing from destabilizing others. Atom: small, unique unit of matter with nucleus and electrons o exist together with other atoms as molecules: reduction: gaining electrons during metabolism. Oxidation sometimes results in formation of free radicals. Free radical: very unstable atom with unpaired electron in outermost shell (i. e. oxygen) o o necessary but can be harmful. Free radicals can destabilize other molecules and damage our cells unpaired electron steals electron from stable compounds. Most free radical damage in cell membrane (as well, ldl, proteins, dna) Damage disrupts transport, changes protein function, disrupts cell function. Associated with diseases (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) Antioxidants work by stabilizing free radicals or opposing oxidation. Dietary antioxidant: reduces bad effects of species such as oxygen and nitrogen on physiological function.
