Reactive Oxygen Species: Benefits and Risks in Human Body

This assignment focuses on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), examining their role in human physiology. The assignment explores the dual nature of ROS, discussing their benefits as cellular oxidants involved in processes like antimicrobial phagocytosis and detoxification, while also highlighting the risks associated with elevated levels, such as oxidative damage leading to degenerative diseases and aging. The solution references scholarly articles to support the discussion. The assignment emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance of ROS concentrations for optimal health and disease prevention. The assignment explores the impact of ROS on the body and how the balance of these oxidants is important for the human body.

Running head: REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES
Reactive Oxygen Species
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1REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES
Table of Contents
Question 1: 2
References: 3

2REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES
Question 2: Define why ROS is good and why its bad?
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemically derived species with reactive oxygen. ROS
are chemically derived and in the human anatomical context, ROS are derived as a natural
byproduct of the normal metabolic procedures of oxygen in the body. There are two routes of
formation of ROS, both exogenous and endogenous. In case of human physiology, the
endogenous ROS can be derived from NOX complexes are various other cellular mechanisms
depending on the cell and tissue type where the reactive oxygen species is being formed
(Copstead & Banasik, 2013).
Reactive oxygen species is associated with a multitude of biological effects that control
physiological regularity in the human body is and can have profound effects in the damaging
alterations associated with pathogenesis and increasing number of diseases. There are various
benefits of ROS, in human body they act as cellular oxidants. In moderate concentrations these
cellular oxidants are the essential mediators of different anatomical processes like antimicrobial
phagocytosis, detoxification, and apoptosis. There are also significant roles played by ROS in
disease pathways and hence the importance of maintaining a perfect balance of ROS
concentrations in human body play the fundamental role in treatment planning and care delivery
( Ristow, 2014).
However increased concentration of ROS in the body can lead to oxidative damage in the
cell constituents and can bring forth degenerative diseases and aging (Ristow, 2014). The
oxidative damage brought forth by the ROS can damage the lipid, DNA, RNA and proteins
which in turn contributes to aging and disrupts many biological processes. Hence, ROS is both

3REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES
good and bad for human body and there should be a balance in the concentration of these
oxidants in the body.
References:
Copstead, L.C. & Banasik, J.L. (2013). Pathophysiology (5th ed.).. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/13797058/Pathophysiology_5E_PDF_.
Ristow, M. (2014). Unraveling the truth about antioxidants: mitohormesis explains ROS-induced
health benefits. Nature medicine, 20(7), 709.