Human Biochemistry Volume 1 - Murray R. 1993

Bioenergetics and Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Biological Oxidation
Biomedical Significance

Although certain Bacteria (anaerobes) live in the absence of oxygen, the life of higher animals is entirely dependent on an oxygen supply. Oxygen is utilized mainly in The process of Respiration—the latter can be defined as the process by which a Cell captures energy in the form of ATP through the controlled combination of oxygen with hydrogen to form Water. In addition, molecular oxygen is incorporated into various substrates with the participation of Enzymes called oxygenases; many drugs, foreign substances, and chemical carcinogens (referred to as xenobiotics, i.e., foreign compounds) are attacked by this Class of enzymes, which are collectively known as the cytochrome P-450 system. The administration of oxygen can save the lives of patients with impaired respiration or Circulation. In some cases, high-pressure Oxygen therapy is successfully employed; it should be noted, however, that intensive or prolonged high-pressure oxygen therapy can cause oxygen toxicity.