A radical (more precisely, a free radical) is an atom molecule or ion that has an unpaired valence electron. In addition, these radicals are commonly highly reactive. For most biological structures, radicals cause damage. This damage is associated with oxidation reaction( oxidative damage). The most common attribute to oxidative damage in humans is the increase in the rate of aging. Radical molecules usually increase in abundances with the oxygen intake that one is subjected to. That is if one were to intake more oxygen than another individual, more radicals would be present within that person. As a result, the individual with a greater abundance of radical molecules will show heavier signs of aging. Luckily, certain molecules can satisfy radicals, that is eliminate their high reactivity and their preceding effects. These molecules are known as antioxidants; moreover, they are reducing agents and limit oxidative damage to biological structures. Therefore, if one were to intake antioxidants, their oxidative damage would decrease resulting in a slower rate of aging. Antioxidants are a great remedy to fight the effects of radicals.

My art project depicted the result of both opposing molecules, in which I demonstrated the extreme differences between both effects of these molecules. A major factor of my project was the portrayal of the effect of radicals on a human face. Radicals, which contain only a single electron in any orbital, are usually unstable toward losing or gaining an electron. This is done so that all electrons in the molecule will be paired. Damage occurs when a radical encounters another molecule and searches to find another electron to pair its unpaired electron. Often the radical will seek an electron from a molecule and transform that molecule into a new radical. The new free radical can then pull an electron off the next molecule and a chemical chain reaction of radical production occurs. Radicals that are thought to contribute to the aging process include superoxide, nitrogen oxide and chlorine monoxide. These three molecules are most common in age process because they are formed within the atmosphere and are constantly being consumed while breathing. Another factor that makes them the most damaging is the fact that oxygen is present. The reason is because when these radicals create a chain reaction, the reaction that each radical produces is called oxidizing reduction. This is associated to oxidative damage which as mentioned previously, increases the rate of aging.

The portrayal of the effects of antioxidants on human face completed my other half of my project. It was important to demonstrate the opposing effect of antioxidants to truly aid the viewer understand the benefits of these molecules on the rate of aging. Antioxidants are helpful in reducing and preventing damage from radical reactions because of their ability to donate electrons. The result produces a neutralized radical without producing another radical. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), for example, can lose an electron to a free radical and remain stable by passing its unstable electron around the antioxidant molecule. Vitamin C is one of the simplest and most common solution to negate the effects of radicals. Therefore, a daily intake of vitamin C will decrease the rate of aging and will reduce oxidative damage by reducing the number of radical reactions.

Through this project a goal was set, this goal was to connect the main ideas of chemistry in a single project. When approaching this project I was skeptical about achieving this goal. Now that I have completed it, I have realized how each individual big idea in chemistry is connected. It is through the representation of radicals and antioxidants ,and their effects that I have got a greater understanding of the 6 big ideas that were covered in this course. Not only this, but I have also come to the realization of how everything in chemistry is truly linked and follows 9 main ideas no more no less. This project was a learning experience as well as a great practical exercise that aided to truly understand chemistry at a deeper level.

References

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/antiox.html

http://www.healthchecksystems.com/antioxid.htm

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/misc_topics/radicals.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22312536

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/human-biology/free-radicals-aging.htm