Free Radicals In Cells

Introduction

There are many ways cells dispose of toxic molecules in order to maintain the necessary internal environmental conditions to survive. These toxic molecules are known as free radicals that contain an unpaired electron on the outer orbit (Proljsak et al.2013). Some examples of free radicals that can be found in the cell are superoxide (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and even reactive metals like copper and iron. These free radicals are produced based on the environment the individuals are exposed to. For instance the energy generated when cells discompose food, the inhalation of oxygen, when the body is affected by a microbial infection, preforming high intensity exercise and many other factors that increase cellular toxicity. However, for the cell to properly breakdown toxic molecules it needs the appropriate catalytic
However, over time the maintenance if this redox balance can create cellular damage. ROS are composed of oxygen free radicals and non-free radical. As mentioned previously the common seen radical are superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and other reactive metals. The cell uses antioxidants, like MnSOD, to slow down or prevent substrate oxidation. For example, converting superoxide to hydrogen peroxide. The free radical conversion allows moderate ROS formations that are beneficial to the cell when redox homeostasis is maintained. The main purpose of ROS production is not only the end product of a reaction but it is used by the cell as signaling molecules to run other metabolic pathways, like cell proliferation glucose metabolism cellular growth and many other mechanisms. Consequently, because cells are constantly reducing and oxidizing reactions the increase of environmental factors, both internal and external, can generate cell damage (Borut et al., 2013; Poljsak et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2009; Gery et al.,