Chemistry
The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cellular Signaling Pathways
Quick fact
In low concentrations, reactive oxygen species act as precise cellular signals: they oxidize specific cysteine residues on proteins like tyrosine phosphatases, temporarily switching them off to amplify growth signals—only at high concentrations do they cause damage.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard that 'free radicals' are harmful molecules that damage our cells. So why do our cells deliberately produce them?