When atoms are oxidized, what happens to them?

When atoms are oxidized, they lose electrons. Oxidation is a key concept in chemistry that refers to a process where an atom, ion, or molecule loses one or more electrons. This loss of electrons increases the oxidation state of the substance being oxidized. As a result, the oxidized atom becomes more positively charged if it was neutral or increases its positive charge if it was already positively charged.

In chemical reactions, oxidation often occurs in conjunction with reduction, where another atom gains the electrons that have been lost. This dual process is fundamental in redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, which are common in biological systems and energy production.

Understanding oxidation is crucial for many physiological processes, including metabolism and cellular respiration, where electrons are transferred between molecules to produce energy.