Final answer:
Free radicals primarily take electrons from fat molecules within the body, initiating a detrimental oxidative chain reaction. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E act as radical scavengers to stop these reactions, protecting the body from cellular damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Free radicals in the body take electrons predominantly from fat molecules, particularly from lipoproteins and unsaturated fatty acids within cell membranes. This electron theft triggers a chain reaction that can lead to the oxidative breakdown of these fats. To counteract this, the body employs antioxidants like vitamins C and E, and provitamin ß-carotene, which interfere with these reactions. They mitigate the damage by either forming a stable molecule or in the case of vitamin E, creating a less reactive radical.
Free radicals, due to their unpaired electrons, are highly chemically reactive. They are involved in various destructive processes within the body, such as aging and the development of diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The body's defense mechanisms include radical scavengers that neutralize toxic radicals, acting to protect cellular integrity and health.