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Question

Where do we get free radicals?


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Solution

Free radicals:

  • Free radicals are the chemical species such as atoms, molecules, or ions that have at least one unpaired electron.
  • Due to unpaired electrons, they are highly reactive and unstable.
  • Commonly, radicals undergo dimerization in a free state to get stability.

Free radicals in the human body:

  • Free radicals found in our body are Nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, oxygen singlet, and many more.
  • Free radicals are capable of damaging important molecules such as DNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the nucleus and cell membranes.

Production of free radicals in the human body:

Free radicals either be formed by the metabolic activities in the human body or by external sources like ozone, X-rays, pollutants in the air, smoking cigarettes, and many other harmful chemicals.


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