oxidants
Corrosion-causing chemicals
Oxidants are substances that cause oxidation in other materials by accepting electrons from them.
In chemistry, oxidants—also called oxidizing agents—are essential to countless reactions, from combustion to cellular respiration.
Common oxidants include oxygen itself, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine.
The term appears frequently in discussions of air pollution, where oxidants like ozone damage respiratory tissue, and in skincare, where antioxidants are marketed as protection against oxidative stress.
Chemically reactive atomic fragments
- peroxidesCompounds with O-O bonds
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
superoxide · redox · reactivity · reduction · catalysts · combustion · disinfectants · sanitizers
Injury to genetic material
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- mutationsAlterations in genetic sequence
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
- tissue damageHarm to body cells
cell membrane damage · degradation · deterioration · harmful · toxicity · ultraviolet · pollution · smoke
Iron oxide coating
- electrochemicalInvolving electricity and chemistry
- galvanicShockingly stimulating or exciting
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- pittingForming small cavities
patina · weathering · ferric · ferrous · anodic · cathodic · rust prevention · redox reaction
Gradual functional decline with age
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- age spotsPigmented marks from aging
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- photoagingUV-caused skin deterioration
gerontology · longevity · lifespan · macular degeneration · cataracts
Essential water-soluble antioxidant
- vitamin EFat-soluble antioxidant nutrient
- glutathioneSulfur-containing cellular antioxidant
- catalasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
- polyphenolsPlant-derived antioxidant compounds
flavonoids · carotenoids · beta-carotene · lycopene · selenium · coenzyme Q10 · catechins · green tea
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- aerobic respirationOxygen-using energy production
- catalasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
cytochrome · cellular respiration · bioenergetics · enzymatic · peroxisomes
free radicals
Chemically reactive atomic fragments
- peroxidesCompounds with O-O bonds
- ozoneTriatomic oxygen allotrope
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
bleach · superoxide · redox · reactivity · reduction · catalysts · combustion · disinfectants · sanitizers · bleaching agents
DNA damage
Injury to genetic material
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- mutationsAlterations in genetic sequence
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
cell membrane damage · tissue damage · degradation · deterioration · harmful · toxicity · ultraviolet · pollution · smoke · environmental stressors
rust
Iron oxide coating
- electrochemicalInvolving electricity and chemistry
- galvanicShockingly stimulating or exciting
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
pitting · patina · weathering · ferric · ferrous · anodic · cathodic · rust prevention · redox reaction · moisture
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- age spotsPigmented marks from aging
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
photoaging · gerontology · longevity · lifespan · macular degeneration · cataracts
vitamin C
Essential water-soluble antioxidant
- vitamin EFat-soluble antioxidant nutrient
- glutathioneSulfur-containing cellular antioxidant
- catalasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
polyphenols · flavonoids · carotenoids · beta-carotene · lycopene · selenium · coenzyme Q10 · catechins · green tea · berries
mitochondria
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- aerobic respirationOxygen-using energy production
catalase · cytochrome · cellular respiration · bioenergetics · enzymatic · peroxisomes
- irritantstear gas, pepper spray, CS gas, mace, bear spray
- smogsmog, photochemical smog, industrial smog, urban smog, smog alert
- interferentshemolysis, icterus, bilirubin, fibrin, clots
- radicalsradical, free radical, free radicals, radicals, square root
oxidantsantioxidants
Substances counteracting oxidative damage
vitamin E · vitamin C · glutathione · polyphenols · flavonoids