Biology
How Flavin-Dependent Monooxygenases Activate Oxygen for Oxidative Biotransformations
Quick fact
Flavin-dependent monooxygenases can insert one atom of oxygen into a substrate while reducing the other to water, all using a flavin cofactor that is regenerated by NADPH. This allows them to hydroxylate even unactivated C–H bonds under mild conditions.
Why this is interesting
Your body uses a molecular 'lighter' to insert oxygen into drugs and pollutants. But how does it do it without setting the whole cell on fire?