In recent years, the field of radical chemistry has undergone explosive growth. Although its roots lie in organic chemistry, the implications of its findings are having enormous impact in a broad range of disciplines, and we now have evidence for radical involvement in over 100 diseases. As important as this is, however, the subject of radicals and

The Pros and Cons of Living in an Oxygen Atmosphere. Basic Chemistry of Radicals. Chemistry of Oxygen-Derived Radicals. Chemistry of Electronically Excited States. Formation of Reactive Oxygen Metabolites in Vivo. Reactions of Reactive Oxygen Metabolites with Important Biomolecules. Nitric Oxide. Antioxidants. Pathological Processes Involving Reactive Oxygen Metabolites. Conclusion. References.