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Glite Dictionary
superoxide anion

superoxide anion

7.7
An oxygen molecule with an extra electron that can damage cells
  • noun
  • /ˌsuːpərˈaɪkaɪd ˈeɪniˌɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : anión superóxido
  • As shown in Figure 8A, lucigenin-stimulated superoxide anion (O2-) and total oxidative products were computed for all groups.

Examples

  • The formation of the superoxide anion is crucial in many biochemical pathways involving oxidative stress.

  • This enzyme detoxifies the superoxide anion, a free radical formed as a by-product of aerobic metabolism.

    Academic text (2000)

  • This enzyme detoxifies the superoxide anion, a free radical formed as a by-product of aerobic metabolism.

  • Superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide levels reverted to normal values after the control of hypertension by drugs.

Synonyms

superoxide
vssuperoxide anion
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A negatively charged form of oxygen with one extra electron

focuses on its presence in organisms and role in causing oxidative stress

Surface Forms

superoxide anion singular
superoxide anions plural

Morphology

superoxide + anion

The meaning is directly compositional: 'superoxide' refers to the oxygen species with an extra electron and 'anion' denotes a negatively charged ion, so together they denote the negatively charged oxygen ion (O2−). Although the phrase is technical, it follows standard scientific naming conventions and a learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Superoxide anion comes from the parts super, oxide, and anion: it is an oxygen molecule (an oxide) that has picked up one 'extra electron', so it becomes more active and is an 'anion' with a 'negative' charge. That's why the name describes a negatively charged oxygen molecule.