free radical
Noun
Meaning
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
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
in the body free radicals are high-energy particles that ricochet wildly and damage cells
Conversely, a successful lung damage caused a significant lowering of endogenous sulfur dioxide production, and an increase in lipid peroxidation, free radical formation, oxidative stress and inflammation.
Accumulated free radical damage over time and contributes to chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Endogenous sulfur dioxide lowered lipid peroxidation, free radical formation, oxidative stress and inflammation during an experimental lung damage.
Also acts as a crosslinking agent for the free radical polymerization.
Inflammation causes a great deal of oxidative stress and the presence of melatonin during sleep times could actively counteract free radical production during this time.