Chapter 2 - Chemistry of Reactive Species

Abstract

This chapter describes redox chemistry, the major chemical reactions relevant in the modification of biomolecules involving reactive species. The chapter describes how these reactive species are produced in biological systems and also details the various products formed from these reactive species via important metabolic pathways. The properties of reactive oxygen species, including superoxide radicals, hydroperoxyl/peroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, the properties of reactive nitrogen species, including nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and peroxynitrite, as well as the properties of reactive sulfur species, including thiyl radicals, sulfenic acid, and disulphide, are all included within the chapter and the most relevant reactions and pathways in biological systems for each reactive species are described.