superoxide
Electron-heavy oxygen molecule
Superoxide is a highly reactive molecule containing oxygen with an extra electron, formed as a byproduct of cellular metabolism.
In chemistry and biology, superoxide is both a natural product of oxygen use and a potential source of cellular damage.
The body produces enzymes like superoxide dismutase specifically to neutralize it.
Free radicals like superoxide can damage DNA and accelerate aging.
Progressive loss of neurons
- atherosclerosisArterial plaque accumulation disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
- ALSMotor neuron disease
aging · cardiomyopathy · diabetes · cancer · arthritis · sepsis · stroke · fibrosis
Negative subatomic particle
- ionCharged atom or molecule
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- anionicCarrying negative charge
- paramagneticWeakly attracted to magnets
unpaired · diatomic · reactivity · spin · electrostatic · charge · ionization · electronegativity
Chemically reactive atomic fragments
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- cytotoxicityHarmfulness to living cells
- malondialdehydeLipid peroxidation biomarker
Peroxide-degrading enzyme
- peroxidasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- cytochromeHeme protein transferring electrons
- oxidaseOxygen-dependent catalytic protein
cofactor · substrate · enzymatic · mechanism · redox · metabolism · cellular respiration · phagocyte
Peroxide-degrading enzyme
- glutathioneSulfur-containing cellular antioxidant
- vitamin CEssential water-soluble antioxidant
- vitamin EFat-soluble antioxidant nutrient
- scavengerSeeker of refuse
neutralization · defense · detoxification · ascorbic acid · tocopherol · melatonin · uric acid · protective
neurodegeneration
Progressive loss of neurons
- atherosclerosisArterial plaque accumulation disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
ALS · aging · cardiomyopathy · diabetes · cancer · arthritis · sepsis · stroke · fibrosis · hypertension
electron
Negative subatomic particle
paramagnetic · unpaired · diatomic · reactivity · spin · electrostatic · charge · ionization · electronegativity · ground state
free radicals
Chemically reactive atomic fragments
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- cytotoxicityHarmfulness to living cells
catalase
Peroxide-degrading enzyme
- peroxidasePeroxide-degrading enzyme
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- cytochromeHeme protein transferring electrons
oxidase · cofactor · substrate · enzymatic · mechanism · redox · metabolism · cellular respiration · phagocyte · neutrophil
catalase
Peroxide-degrading enzyme
- glutathioneSulfur-containing cellular antioxidant
- vitamin CEssential water-soluble antioxidant
- vitamin EFat-soluble antioxidant nutrient
scavenger · neutralization · defense · detoxification · ascorbic acid · tocopherol · melatonin · uric acid · protective
superoxideantioxidant
Oxidation-preventing molecule
reducing agent · glutathione · catalase · vitamin E · vitamin C