Question

Standard reduction potentials the standard reduction potential, e'0, of any redoxpair is defined for the half-cell reaction: oxidizing agent n electrons ---> reducing agent the e'0 values for the nad /nadh and pyruvate/lactate conjugate redox pairs are -0.32v and -0.19 v, respectively. which redox pair has the greater tendency to lose electrons? explain.

Answer 1

The NAD+/NADH redox pair, with a standard reduction potential of -0.32V, has a greater tendency to lose electrons compared to the pyruvate/lactate pair, which has a potential of -0.19V.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which of the two redox pairs, NAD+/NADH or pyruvate/lactate, has a greater tendency to lose electrons based on their standard reduction potentials (E'0). The standard reduction potential is an indicator of the tendency of a compound to gain electrons; the more positive the value, the greater the species' affinity for electrons and its ability to act as an oxidizing agent.

Since the standard reduction potential for the NAD+/NADH redox pair is -0.32V and the potential for the pyruvate/lactate redox pair is -0.19V, the pyruvate/lactate pair, having the less negative E'0 value, would have a greater tendency to gain electrons, implying that it is a stronger oxidizing agent. Conversely, the NAD+/NADH redox pair, with the more negative reduction potential, would tend to lose electrons more readily, making it a stronger reducing agent.