Oxidation, reduction, enzymes...

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In o-chem they sometimes say a molecule is oxidized and reduced. What does that mean exactly? A ketone is reduced when it turns into an alcohol right? How can you describe a oxidation and reduction in ochem? I know in Gchem you count the oxidation states but it seems like in ochem they stay the same.

Also I know enzymes lower the activation energy and that it can accelerate the forward and backward reaction. Has anyone ever gotten a question on the real thing where they ask tricky, technical questions like "Do enzymes accelerate a reaction?" and have "True" when in fact the answer is false with the explanation being that the enzyme catalyzes both the forward and backward reaction?

 

[CALgoob]

in ochem, oxidize is to add O and reduce is to add H.

 

[Danny289]

in ochem, oxidize is to add O and reduce is to add H.

yes you are right plus:
oxidize=add O or loose H
reduce= loose O or add H

 

[iwannabadentist]

In o-chem they sometimes say a molecule is oxidized and reduced. What does that mean exactly? A ketone is reduced when it turns into an alcohol right? How can you describe a oxidation and reduction in ochem? I know in Gchem you count the oxidation states but it seems like in ochem they stay the same.

Also I know enzymes lower the activation energy and that it can accelerate the forward and backward reaction. Has anyone ever gotten a question on the real thing where they ask tricky, technical questions like "Do enzymes accelerate a reaction?" and have "True" when in fact the answer is false with the explanation being that the enzyme catalyzes both the forward and backward reaction?

Consider Oxidation and Reduction in terms of Electrons (if theres no H involved)

OIL RIG:

Oxidation is Loss (of electrons)
Reduction is Gain (of electrons)

hopefully this helps. good luck!

 

[Shjfr]

In o-chem they sometimes say a molecule is oxidized and reduced. What does that mean exactly? A ketone is reduced when it turns into an alcohol right? How can you describe a oxidation and reduction in ochem? I know in Gchem you count the oxidation states but it seems like in ochem they stay the same.

Also I know enzymes lower the activation energy and that it can accelerate the forward and backward reaction. Has anyone ever gotten a question on the real thing where they ask tricky, technical questions like "Do enzymes accelerate a reaction?" and have "True" when in fact the answer is false with the explanation being that the enzyme catalyzes both the forward and backward reaction?

I always think of what oxidation does first to help me remember. The name "oxidation" gives it away that it adds oxygen, then just remember that is the only thing it adds (so it could LOSE hydrogen/electrons instead). Reduction is just opposite (loses oxygen, gain hydrogen/electrons).

Oxidize: Gain oxygen, lose Hydrogen/electrons
Reduce: Lose oxygen, gain hydrogen/electrons

I had no tricky questions, and it is multiple choice not true/false so don't worry about anything like that being on there... you should be able to eliminate by the answers.

^^ OIL RIG is good 🙂 if you remember what you are gaining/losing

 

[hdu]

Just to complement the very good answer in the above post:

LEO the lion roars GER!
Lost of Electrons Oxidation
Gaining Electrons Reduction

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www.biochemistryquestions.wordpress.com