Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

8. Respiration

Redox Reactions

General Biology

8. Respiration

Redox Reactions

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1:11 minutes

Problem 5

Textbook Question

What is the oxidizing agent in the following reaction?
Pyruvate + NADH + H⁺→ Lactate + NAD⁺
a. Oxygen
b. NADH
c. Lactate
d. Pyruvate

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of an oxidizing agent: In a chemical reaction, the oxidizing agent is the substance that gains electrons and is reduced.

Identify the substances involved in the reaction: Pyruvate, NADH, H+, Lactate, and NAD+.

Analyze the changes in oxidation states: Determine which substance is gaining electrons. In this reaction, NADH is being converted to NAD+, indicating that NADH is losing electrons.

Determine which substance is reduced: Since NAD+ is formed from NADH, NAD+ is the reduced form, meaning NADH is the reducing agent.

Identify the oxidizing agent: The substance that causes NADH to lose electrons is pyruvate, as it is converted to lactate. Therefore, pyruvate is the oxidizing agent.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidizing Agent

An oxidizing agent is a substance that gains electrons in a chemical reaction and, in the process, causes another substance to be oxidized. It is reduced itself. In the context of redox reactions, identifying the oxidizing agent involves determining which reactant is reduced by accepting electrons.

Redox Reactions

Redox reactions, or oxidation-reduction reactions, involve the transfer of electrons between two substances. One substance is oxidized (loses electrons), and the other is reduced (gains electrons). Understanding which components are oxidized and reduced is crucial for identifying the oxidizing and reducing agents in a reaction.

Role of NADH in Cellular Respiration

NADH is a coenzyme that plays a critical role in cellular respiration, acting as an electron carrier. It is involved in redox reactions, where it donates electrons and is oxidized to NAD+. In the given reaction, NADH donates electrons to pyruvate, reducing it to lactate, and is itself oxidized, indicating its role as a reducing agent.

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Related Practice

Multiple Choice

A molecule becomes more oxidized when it __________.

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Multiple Choice

In the overall process of glycolysis and cellular respiration, __________ is oxidized and __________ is reduced.

Oxygen gas (O₂) is one of the strongest oxidizing agents known. The explanation for this is that __________.

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Multiple Choice

During the reaction C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂ → 6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O, which compound is reduced as a result of the reaction?

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Textbook Question

Draw a chemical equation to represent the redox reaction that occurs when methane (CH₄) burns in the presence of oxygen (O₂). Identify the reactant that is reduced and the reactant that is oxidized. Of the four molecules that should be in your equation, point out the one that has bonds with the highest potential energy.

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