Oxygen radicals, a failure or a success of evolution?
Oxygen radicals are no doubt involved in the development of many pathological states. Nevertheless, the possibility that oxygen radical production was selected for during biological evolution in order to perform useful roles in relation to cellular metabolism is contemplated; previous data on this subject are briefly reviewed. The concept of an "oxygen radical cycle" is proposed as a useful theoretical model.
Department of Animal Biology II Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
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Barja
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013481:Superoxides; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase