Date of Award

5-1996

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Biology

Abstract

Oxygen is an essential compound in all aerobic systems; however, it can also take part in toxic reactions involving active oxygen species (AOS) and transition metals. Most of the time, antioxidant enzymes act as defense mechanisms and keep the production of AOS to a minimum. However, if the defense mechanisms are not adequate, damage may occur and possibly lead to the breakdown of biomolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins that are vital to both simple and complex organisms. Oxidative damage could also be a contributing factor to many human pathological conditions including, aging, atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, and stroke (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11).

Included in

Biology Commons

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Faculty Mentor

Ann J. Anderson