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Dictionary » O » Oxygen

Oxygen

Definition

noun

(chemistry) A colorless, tasteless, oderless, gaseous element that abounds in the atmosphere.


Supplement

In chemistry, oxygen is an element with an atomic weight of 15.96. It is capable of combining with all elements, with the exception of fluorine, to form oxides, bases, oxyacid anhydrides, etc. At room temperature, oxygen is only moderately active with most substances. However, at higher temperatures, it becomes very active that it is considered as one of the most powerful chemical agents.

In biology, the oxygen plays a crucial role in various biochemical and physiological processes, such as in cellular respiration. Its presence makes cellular respiration about ten times more efficient in yielding ATP.

Oxygen is also thought to have a therapeutic role especially to treating or managing ischemic tissues.


Word origin: F. Oxygene, from Gr. Sharp, acid _ root of to be born; named by Lavoisier as he supposed it to be a constituent of al 1000 l acids
Related forms: oxygenic (adjective)

Symbol: O

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Re:

... gene duplication, random mutations, promoter mutations and etc. For example, hemoglobin and myoglobin are both proteins in our blood that carry oxygen but deliver that oxygen under different conditions. Hemoglobin delivers that oxygen as needed by normal functions of the cell but when the cell ...

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by MolecularBioFTW
Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:50 pm
 
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Photosynthesis questions

... from the soil. Light is absolutely necessary for the production of O2 and carbohydrates. I know that carbon dixoide is taken in and water and oxygen are released. However, all four of the others seem true to me? Could it be that some oxygen gas actually comes from carbon dioxide? Or is it ...

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by fifa
Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:10 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Photosynthesis questions
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How does high salt conc. influence denaturation kinetics

Salts can change the charge of the phosphate backbone by donating electrons or possibly attracting an Oxygen atom from the phosphate ion, causing the charge to chage.. which could cause the 5' and 3' end to repel eachother.

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by Darwin420
Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:04 am
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: How does high salt conc. influence denaturation kinetics
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Voice: Low Atmosphere and Pure Oxygen Effects

I have no idea, but I would not recommend it as pure oxygen would probably not do much good to your lungs.

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by canalon
Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:51 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Voice: Low Atmosphere and Pure Oxygen Effects
Replies: 1
Views: 43

Voice: Low Atmosphere and Pure Oxygen Effects

What effects would 100% oxygen and low atmospheric pressure (5 psi) have on human vocal cords/speech? From what I've read, helium produces a high pitch (vibration) effect b/c the mass of helium is much less than nitrogen; however at atmospheric ...

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by VoiceQ
Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:14 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Voice: Low Atmosphere and Pure Oxygen Effects
Replies: 1
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