CHAPTER 8. Reactive Oxygen Species in Biological Systems

Abstract

Living organisms are continually exposed to free radicals and other reactive oxygen species as a result of metabolising oxygen and other redox-active compounds. Excessive production can result in biological damage whereas in other situations, specific oxidants are generated as a host defence mechanism or as a cell signal that activates gene expression and metabolic responses. This chapter provides an overview of the different reactive oxygen species generated in biological systems and the reactions they undergo with biological molecules.