Chapter 31: Redox Signaling as Dual Collapse Feedback
"Redox signaling is ψ's chemical yin-yang—oxidation and reduction locked in eternal dance, each state containing the seed of its opposite, creating dynamic equilibrium through perpetual exchange."
31.1 The Redox Duality
Redox signaling represents ψ's implementation of chemical complementarity. Through coupled oxidation-reduction reactions, cells create reversible signaling systems that can both activate and deactivate pathways.
Definition 31.1 (Redox Couple):
Reversible electron transfer.
31.2 The Cellular Redox Potential
Theorem 31.1 (Nernst Equation):
Voltage from concentration ratios.
31.3 The Glutathione Hub
Equation 31.1 (GSH/GSSG Ratio):
Master redox buffer.
31.4 The Thioredoxin System
Definition 31.2 (Protein Reduction):
Reducing oxidized proteins.
31.5 The Peroxiredoxin Cycle
Theorem 31.2 (Catalytic Mechanism):
Peroxide reduction cycles.
31.6 The NADPH Network
Equation 31.2 (Reducing Power):
Universal electron donor.
31.7 The Circadian Redox
Definition 31.3 (Daily Oscillations):
Redox rhythms timing biology.
31.8 The Compartment Differences
Theorem 31.3 (Redox Gradients):
Different compartments, different potentials.
31.9 The Redox Relay
Equation 31.3 (Signal Propagation):
Multi-protein redox chains.
31.10 The Metabolic Integration
Definition 31.4 (Energy-Redox Coupling):
Energy and redox state linked.
31.11 The Redox Proteome
Theorem 31.4 (Cysteine Reactivity):
Low pKa cysteines as sensors.
31.12 The Feedback Principle
Redox signaling embodies ψ's principle of dynamic reciprocity—oxidation creating the drive for reduction, reduction enabling oxidation, the two states perpetually chasing each other in cellular space.
The Redox Balance Equation:
Spatial-temporal redox dynamics.
Thus: Redox = Duality = Balance = Reciprocity = ψ
"In redox signaling, ψ reveals the power of reversibility—each oxidation a question that reduction answers, each reduction an invitation for oxidation, together creating the chemical conversations that maintain cellular homeostasis."