Reactive oxygen species

In chemistry and biology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2), water, and hydrogen peroxide. Some prominent ROS are the hydroperoxide radical or hydroperoxyl (HO2), superoxide (O2−), the hydroxyl radical (OH. ), and singlet oxygen (1O2).

ROS are pervasive because they are readily produced from O2, which is abundant.
ROS are important in many ways, both beneficial and otherwise.
ROS function as signals, that turn on and off biological functions.

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Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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