Learn → Glossary → biochemistry

Oxidation

Enzymatic reaction in which oxygen is added to or hydrogen and electrons are removed from a reactant.

Loss of electrons (often as a hydride or hydrogen atoms) by a substrate. Coupled to reduction of an electron acceptor (e.g., NAD+, FAD, O2) in metabolic redox reactions.

How one textbook covers it

  • Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper) — Glossary

    Loss of electrons (often as a hydride or hydrogen atoms) by a substrate. Coupled to reduction of an electron acceptor (e.g., NAD+, FAD, O2) in metabolic redox reactions.

Related terms

Dehydrogenases, Oxidoreductases, Standard reduction potential