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Anthony Montgomery <amontgom@ha*.ed*> wrote (Subject: O2 toxicity):- > Today I learn [that] ... Please what is the book or scientific paper reference for this information? > Cytochrome oxidase binds O2 in an Fe-Cu complex allowing the O2 to accept > four electrons to produce two molecules of H2O. This is the normal pathway, > but if O2 does not accept four complete electrons, then a Superoxide anion > is produced. This is a very destructive compound and is the begining of O2 > toxicity. The Superoxide anion is not produced under normal circumstances > (except for small amounts) ... What is the direct chemical interaction that > causes the Superoxide anion to be produced? If so, perhaps sometimes another O2 molecule hits the O2-Fe-Cu-cytochrome-etc complex hard enough to knock the `sitting tenant' O2 molecule out and replace it before it has picked up 4 electrons. This may be more likely to happen at depth when depth pressure causes a lot of unbound oxygen in solution. If the O2 molecule has picked up N electrons (and some protons (chemists' word usage for H+ ions) to balance the electric charge), the result is this:- 0 oxygen (O2) 1 superoxide (HOO) 2 hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) 3 1 water and 1 free hydroxyl (OH) radical, I suppose, if this happens 4 2 water There is an enzyme to turn 2 HO2 -> O2 + HOOH. There is an enzyme to turn 2 HOOH -> O2 + HOH. > ... Are there any known cases of [mutations to the guanine in DNA] happening > from diving high pp O2s? This has been a problem among athletes. What is this effect in athletes? I haven't heard of it. > Any flames on this subject are also welcome!! and in a high oxygen environment will burn much hotter!
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