What are ROS?

Reactive oxygen species, produced by rapid assembly and activation of enzyme phagocyte oxidase (NAPH oxidase) forming superoxide (O2.) In neutrophils it is called respiratory burst, and ROS are produced in phagolysosomes where superoxide is then transformed into H2O2. Then myeloperoxidase enzyme converts H2O2 to OCl2- hypochlorite, which is the anti-microbial agent destroying bacteria by halogenation or oxidation.