redox reactions

[WYacob_2C]

Could someone explain the how and why redox reactions occur? Thank you in advance.

[Asha Agarwal 1E]

Redox reactions occur when electrons are transferred from one molecule to another in a chemical reaction. That is why when one species os oxidized, the other species is reduced. Reduction is when electrons are gained and oxidation is when electrons are lost.

[nicolely2F]

Redox reactions are reactions in which the transfer of electrons between reactants occurs to form the products. It happens because when bonds are broken, some substances develop a net charge and attract / donate electrons in order to achieve their most stable states. The way it happens is that basically when a molecule has its bonds broken, some of the composing atoms can lose electrons ( = they were oxidized) and these loose electrons will be taken by other atoms in the reaction ( = which are reduced). The net number of electrons in a reaction stays the same.

[805291863]

In particular, redox reactions hold a great importance in biological systems. Cellular respiration, for example, greatly relies on redox reactions in order to efficiently and usefully harvest energy from glucose.