How free radicals are produced:
Free radicals are chemicals species that have a single unpaired electron in an outer orbit. Unpaired electrons are highly reactive and attack and modify adjacent molecules, such as inorganic or organic chemiclas proteins, lipids, carbohydrate, nucleic acids many of which are key components of cell membranes and nuclei.
Free radicals may be generated within cells in severals ways:
1. The reduction oxidation reactions that occur during normal metabolic processes.
2. Absorption of radiant ebergy(e.g. ultraviolet light, x-rays)
3. Rapid bursts of free radicals are produced in activated leukocytes during inflammation.
4. Enzymatic metabolism of exogenous chemicals or drugs can generate free radicals that are not reactive oxygen specices but have similar effects.
5. Transition metals such as iron and copper donate or accept free electrons during intracellular reactions and catalyze free radical formation.
6. Nitric oxide an important chemical mediator generated by endothelial cells, macrophages, neurons and other cell types.
Effects of free radicals:
1. Lipid peroxidation in membranes.
2.Oxidative modification of proteins
3. Lesions in DNA
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