• Oxidation: "The Electron Taker!" 🎩💼
  • When a substance loses electrons.
• Reduction: "The Electron Receiver!" 🤗🎁
  • When a substance gains electrons.
• NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide): "The Electron Chauffeur!" 🚖💨
  • The superstar electron carrier in respiration.

• Think of these processes as a dance where electrons move from one partner (substance) to another.

💡 Real-World Example: Benedict’s Sugar Test!

• 🔵 Starting Scene: A blue-green solution of copper sulfate (Cu²⁺ ions).
• 🍬 Enter Sugars: They donate electrons to Cu²⁺.
• 🧡 Dramatic Twist: Cu²⁺ ions become copper atoms, giving us a red/orange solid! (This means sugars were oxidized as they gave away electrons.)

• Job: Carry electrons. Works like a rechargeable battery. Can gain and lose electrons.
• When NAD gains two electrons, we say it's reduced.
• When it loses those electrons, it's oxidized.

💡 Simple Reaction: NAD + 2 electrons → Reduced NAD.

💡 More Detailed Reaction: NAD⁺ + 2H⁺ + 2 electrons → NADH + H⁺

• Here, NAD takes up two electrons and one hydrogen ion (proton), turning into NADH.