Reactive Oxygen Induced Modification of Biosystem

Abstract

During different metabolic processes in biological systems, the molecular oxygen can be converted to a number of other reactive forms like superoxide radical anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide etc (known as reactive oxygen species). These species are highly reactive and modify the structure and function of all types of bio molecules. Such modifications induce a number of detrimental effects besides some favorable effects. In this review, an attempt has been made to discuss various methods of generation of reactive oxygen species, their impact on biological systems and some defense mechanisms operating in nature to minimize the catastrophic effect of reactive oxygen species.