Which of the Following Statements is True Regarding Reactions Involving

Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding reactions involving oxidation and reduction?
A) The carbon atom is more oxidized in formaldehyde (CH₂O) than in methanol (CH₃OH).
B) Oxidation of food in all organisms requires oxygen.
C) A molecule is oxidized if it gains an electron (plus a proton) in a reaction.
D) A dehydrogenation reaction is a reduction.
E) In an organic molecule, the number of C-H bonds increases as a result of oxidation.

Accepted Answer

Oxidation involves the full or partial removal of electrons from an atom, and does not necessarily involve oxygen. In the cell, organic molecules usually release a proton to their surrounding when oxidized in a dehydrogenation reaction, decreasing the number of C-H bonds in the molecule.