Describe what the term "oxidative stress" means in terms of the body tissues. Give any 3 examples of how oxidative stress can cause disease in the body
Oxidative stress refers to the buildup of free radicals, which are oxygen-like molecules that are charged and react with the body's proteins, fats, and tissues. Free radicals are a natural by-product of cellular respiration, which is the production of energy (ATP), in the presence of oxygen. Too many of these molecules can cause inflammation in the tissues as well as changes in blood lipids and cell DNA, which can lead to harmful changes in the body.
Examples of how oxidative stress can lead to disease are:
• Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein in the blood can cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the body. This could be a serious problem for blood vessels supplying the heart and the brain tissue and could lead to heart attack or stroke.
• Oxidative stress can cause changes in the brain tissue that can lead to memory loss or loss of brain function as we age.
• Free radicals can attack DNA molecules, which store genetic information and control cell development. This could lead to changes in the cells that cause them to start to grow uncontrollably and lead to cancer.
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