Respiratory burst

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Respiratory burst is the rapid release of reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide) from different types of cells.

Usually it denotes the release of these chemicals from immune cells, e.g. neutrophils and macrophages, as they come into contact with different bacteria or fungi. They are also released from the ovum of higher animals after it has been fertilized. These substances can also be released from plant cells.

Respiratory burst is sometimes also called oxidative burst.

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