AAMC FL Practice Exam

What does the acronym "LEO goes GER" signify in terms of electron transfer?

1. Reduction increases energy

2. Oxidation leads to energy

3. Reduction involves electrons

4. Oxidation is losing electrons

The correct answer is: Oxidation is losing electrons

The acronym "LEO goes GER" is a mnemonic used to remember the processes of oxidation and reduction in the context of electron transfer. Specifically, it stands for "Loss of Electrons is Oxidation" and "Gain of Electrons is Reduction." In this context, the correct answer highlights that oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, which is fundamental to understanding redox reactions. When an atom or molecule loses electrons, it experiences an increase in oxidation state. This loss can result in a release of energy, as the system transitions from a higher energy state to a more stable lower energy state. The term 'oxidation' encompasses both the loss of electrons and the associated chemical reactions that involve these lost electrons moving away from the substance undergoing oxidation. This concept is crucial in various biological and chemical processes, such as cellular respiration and combustion, where energy is released during oxidative processes. The other options provided may reflect aspects of redox chemistry but do not directly correlate to the mnemonic as succinctly as the correct response does, focusing specifically on the definition of oxidation in terms of electron transfer.