Our cells have a love-hate relationship with oxygen. On one hand, our cellular metabolism requires oxygen as the ultimate electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. On the other hand, partial reduction of those oxygen molecules can generate superoxide ions that can potentially damage proteins and nucleic acids called a) Reactive oxygen species

b) Polyphenols

c) Hydronium ions

d) Hydroxyl ions

e) Super protons

Question

Biology

Deandre Brennan

5 April, 15:24

Our cells have a love-hate relationship with oxygen. On one hand, our cellular metabolism requires oxygen as the ultimate electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. On the other hand, partial reduction of those oxygen molecules can generate superoxide ions that can potentially damage proteins and nucleic acids called a) Reactive oxygen species

b) Polyphenols

c) Hydronium ions

d) Hydroxyl ions

e) Super protons

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Bridger Wilkins · Answer 1

The correct option is Reactive oxygen species (A)

Explanation:

Reactive oxygen species are secuendary metabolites of oxygenated compounds. They have a high reactivity with any element minimally polar, such as proteins, DNA, RNA, among others.

Therefore, the cells have methods to regulate their toxicity through different enzymes that can deactivate them.