Question

What happens if electron transfer is unequal (ex. the gain of electrons is not equivalent to the loss of electrons like in superoxide ions due to catalase)?

a) Increased energy
b) Formation of radicals
c) Balanced reaction
d) No reaction occurs

Answer 1

Unequal electron transfer results in the formation of radicals since in balanced redox reactions, electrons lost should match the electrons gained which is not the case with radicals.

Step-by-step explanation:

When electron transfer is unequal, such as when the gain of electrons is not equivalent to the loss of electrons, the resulting species can be free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules that have unpaired electrons. In the given example of superoxide ions due to catalase, the unequal electron transfer leads to the formation of radicals. This is because in a balanced redox reaction, the number of electrons lost by the oxidation reaction(s) should equal the number of electrons gained by the reduction reaction(s), which is not the case for these superoxide ions. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is (b) Formation of radicals.