ABSTRACT
Redox potential s fo r som e compound s o f biochemica l interest ar e give n i n
Table 2.1 . Notic e tha t oxyge n occupie s th e uppermos t position , w i t h th e mos t
positive AE. I n th e l ivin g organism , oxyge n i s th e ultimat e oxidizin g agent , t o
w h i c h al l electrons flo w fro m th e oxidatio n (catabolism ) o f foodstuffs . Not e tha t
in Tabl e 2. 1 th e redo x potential s ar e give n fo r variou s compound s accepting
electrons, tha t is , i n th e directio n o f reduction . Tabl e 2. 1 coul d jus t a s we l l b e
written i n th e oxidatio n direction , bu t the n th e sign s o f al l redo x potential s
w o u l d hav e t o b e reversed . Further, th e redo x potential s ar e given a s AE' Q values .
This agai n mean s tha t w e ar e dealin g wi t h condition s a t p H 7 an d tha t th e
concentrations o f reactant s an d product s a t th e beginnin g o f th e redo x reactio n
are 1 M each . Last , not e tha t mos t biochemica l redo x reaction s involv e th e
exchange o f tw o electron s ( a pair o f electrons) , w h i c h usually goes h a nd in h a n d
wi th th e exchang e o f protons .
