Among the reactive oxygen species generated during cell injury, which one is produced through the Fenton reaction and is considered the most reactive and damaging species?

• A Superoxide anion
• B Hydrogen peroxide
• C Nitric oxide
• D Hydroxyl radical ✓

Explanation

The Fenton reaction, Fe2+ plus H2O2 yielding Fe3+, hydroxide ion, and hydroxyl radical, generates the hydroxyl radical, the most reactive oxygen species known in biological systems. It attacks lipids, proteins, and DNA indiscriminately with diffusion-limited kinetics, so it reacts within nanometers of its site of generation. Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are precursors with far lower reactivity, and nitric oxide is a relatively stable radical whose damage derives mainly from forming peroxynitrite with superoxide.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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