oxidation

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oxidation The chemical process of removing electrons from an element or compound (e.g. the oxidation of iron compounds from ferrous to ferric); frequently together with the removal of hydrogen ions (H+). The reverse process, the addition of electrons or hydrogen, is reduction.

In biological oxidation and reduction reactions, cytochromes act to transfer electrons, while coenzymes derived from the vitamins niacin and vitamin B2 are intermediate hydrogen acceptors, transferring both electrons and H+ ions.

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