oxidation is the ________ and reduction is the ________

Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion, while reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state. This concept is fundamental in redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, which are chemical processes where the oxidation states of molecules change.

In a redox reaction, the substance that donates electrons undergoes oxidation and is called the reducing agent because it reduces another species by providing electrons. Conversely, the substance that accepts the electrons undergoes reduction and is termed the oxidizing agent as it oxidizes the other species by receiving electrons.

This electron transfer is crucial in various biochemical processes, such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis, impacting energy transfer and storage within living organisms. Understanding oxidation and reduction is essential in both chemistry and biology, as it explains how energy moves through chemical reactions and biological systems.