Final answer:
Free radicals commonly target DNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the body, potentially causing cellular damage. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, and provitamin β-carotene, combat this damage by neutralizing free radicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common targets for free radicals in the body include DNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. These molecules can be damaged due to the highly reactive nature of free radicals, which possess unpaired electrons. Substances like vitamins C and E, as well as the provitamin β-carotene, can play a role as antioxidants, neutralizing the damage caused by these radicals. Antioxidants protect the body's cells by halting the destructive reactions initiated by free radicals. However, when reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate beyond a certain point, they can contribute to diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.