What is reduction?

What is reduction?

• A. Sharing of electrons
• B. Removal of electrons
• C. Loss of electrons
• D. Gain of electrons

Answer: (D)

Reduction is the gain of electrons by a chemical species during a redox reaction. As it gains electrons, its oxidation state decreases, so the substance becomes more reduced. This is a core idea in biology as well, for example when NAD+ accepts electrons to become NADH, storing energy for later use. This helps distinguish reduction from oxidation, which is the loss of electrons. Jumping to the idea of “sharing” electrons isn’t the definition here—reduction specifically means the species gains electrons, whereas removal or loss of electrons describes oxidation.

Reduction is the gain of electrons by a chemical species during a redox reaction. As it gains electrons, its oxidation state decreases, so the substance becomes more reduced. This is a core idea in biology as well, for example when NAD+ accepts electrons to become NADH, storing energy for later use. This helps distinguish reduction from oxidation, which is the loss of electrons. Jumping to the idea of “sharing” electrons isn’t the definition here—reduction specifically means the species gains electrons, whereas removal or loss of electrons describes oxidation.