Elimination of free radicals occurs with the help of:

Appeared in: HP CHO -9 October 2022

Explanation

Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that cause cellular damage (oxidative stress).
Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals by donating an electron, thereby preventing them from damaging cells.
This process breaks the chain reaction of oxidative damage.
The body has both enzymatic (e.g., Superoxide Dismutase) and non-enzymatic (e.g., Vitamin C, Vitamin E) antioxidant systems to combat free radicals.

Option A: 'Bound radicals' is not a recognized term or mechanism for the neutralization of free radicals in biochemistry or physiology.
Option B: The primary function of Vitamin D is regulating calcium and phosphate for bone health. It is not a primary antioxidant.
Option C: Oxygen is often the source of free radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species or ROS) through metabolic processes, rather than an eliminator.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Free radical elimination and the role of antioxidants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Oxidative stress from an excess of free radicals is linked to the pathogenesis of numerous chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes complications, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Nurses play a key role in patient education regarding diet. Encouraging a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains provides a variety of antioxidants (like Vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and selenium) that help protect the body against oxidative damage.
What if? If a patient has a specific deficiency, such as in selenium, their ability to combat free radicals is impaired because selenium is a crucial component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. In this case, the answer would shift from general antioxidant support to targeted supplementation or dietary changes to address the specific deficiency.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem: the 'elimination of free radicals'.
Recall the definition of a free radical (an unstable molecule causing cellular damage) and the process that counteracts it (antioxidation).
Evaluate each option. 'Antioxidants' directly matches the definition of substances that neutralize free radicals.
Analyze the distractors: 'Oxygen' is a source of free radicals. 'Vitamin D' has a different primary function. 'Bound radicals' is not a standard term.
Conclude that antioxidants are the correct mechanism for eliminating free radicals.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q-v45s4hZ3MKj7lFGmUTOy

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 2 (pp 421-820 of 840) pp. 283-285, 288-290

E6 Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry2023 (pp 26-793 of 813) p. 535-537

Practise the full HP CHO -9 October 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.