Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,798,535,509 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

free radical

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
free radical
n.
An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.
free radical
n
(Chemistry) an atom or group of atoms containing at least one unpaired electron and existing for a brief period of time before reacting to produce a stable molecule Sometimes shortened to radical Compare group [10]
free radical
An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.free radical - an atom or group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron; in the body it is usually an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron and will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from a nearby molecule; "in the body free radicals are high-energy particles that ricochet wildly and damage cells"
radical
atom - (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Key statement: A functional polymer having at least one substituent capable of forming a stable free radical is formed by polymerizing a diene monomer, such as butadiene, to form a first polymer block of the functional polymer.
Stable free radical polymers by Samples, Bob / Rubber World
Now researchers report in the August 2005 Journal of Clinical Investigation that even before the immune system cranks up, NADPH oxidases in pollen itself generate a type of free radical known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which interfere with cell signaling pathways and cause the immune system to overreact.
The radical theory of sneezing by Adler, Tina / Environmental Health Perspectives
Lots of people believe that diseases of aging, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases, are related to free radical biology," he says.
Long live the mammals: antioxidant redirection extends mouse life span by Brownlee, C. / Science News
More results
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.