logo
AAT Bioquest

What are the examples of oxidation?

Posted August 27, 2024


Answer

One example of oxidation is rust. Rusting is the oxidation of iron or its alloys when exposed to oxygen and moisture. Iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of water to form iron oxide (rust). Another example is the brown color on a cut apple. When an apple is cut and exposed to air, the polyphenol oxidase enzyme in the apple catalyzes the oxidation of phenolic compounds to quinones. These quinones then react with amino acids and other compounds to produce brown-colored melanins. 

Additional resources

Definitions of Oxidation and Reduction

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Cell Meter™ Intracellular Fluorimetric Hydrogen Peroxide Assay Kit *Green Fluorescence*