Irwin Fridovich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irwin Fridovich
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Irwin Fridovich in 1994
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| Born | August 2, 1929 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | November 2, 2019 (aged 90) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | City College of New York (BS 1951), Duke University (PhD 1955) |
| Known for | superoxide dismutase, oxygen free radicals |
| Awards | Elliott Cresson Medal (1997) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Institutions | Duke University |
| Doctoral advisor | Philip Handler |
| Doctoral students | Joe M. McCord, Hara P. Misra |
Irwin Fridovich (born August 2, 1929 – died November 2, 2019) was an American biochemist. He made a very important discovery about how our bodies protect themselves. He found out about a special enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD).
This enzyme helps protect living things from harmful substances. These substances are called superoxide free radicals. They are made naturally when our bodies use oxygen. Fridovich spent his career studying these important processes. He was also a Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at Duke University.
Contents
What are Free Radicals?
Our bodies constantly use oxygen to create energy. This process is called oxygen metabolism. Sometimes, this process creates tiny, unstable molecules. These are known as free radicals.
Free radicals can be damaging to our cells. They are like tiny, fast-moving particles. If too many build up, they can harm important parts of our cells. This can lead to various health problems over time.
Irwin Fridovich's Big Discovery: SOD
Irwin Fridovich discovered a special enzyme. This enzyme is called superoxide dismutase, or SOD for short. SOD acts like a superhero inside our cells. It quickly changes harmful superoxide free radicals into less harmful substances.
Think of SOD as a clean-up crew. It helps to get rid of the dangerous free radicals. This protects our cells from damage. His discovery was a huge step forward in understanding how our bodies work. It also showed how important enzymes are for our health.
His Work at Duke University
Irwin Fridovich spent most of his career at Duke University. He was a dedicated researcher and teacher. He helped many students learn about biochemistry. His work there led to many important findings.
He continued to study how SOD works. He also looked at how free radicals affect living things. His research helped other scientists understand many diseases. It also showed new ways to protect our bodies.
Images for kids
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This image shows the 3D shape of the SOD enzyme.
See also
In Spanish: Irwin Fridovich para niños
