Some aspects of the chemistry and biology of the superoxide radical anion

There is increasing evidence that the superoxide radical anion is produced in many biological reactions and especially in respiration. Also, there are many indications that the participation of this radical in certain biologi cal reactions can ultimately have deleterious effects on the health and wel l being of certain individuals. Based on pulse radiolytic method of generat ing superoxide its physical and chemical properties are described. This rev iew gives the present state of research on the formation and reactivity of the superoxide radical anion in biological systems, the physiological funct ion of superoxide dismutase, as well as several enzymatic reactions for whi ch the participation of the radical has not yet been conclusively establish ed.