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Oxidation, in the context of electron transfer, is characterized by the loss of electrons from an atom or molecule. When an element undergoes oxidation, it becomes more positively charged because it is losing negatively charged electrons. This process is often associated with reactions where an oxidizing agent accepts the electrons that are released during the oxidation of the substance being oxidized.

Understanding oxidation in this way is foundational in redox (reduction-oxidation) chemistry, where oxidation is always accompanied by reduction, the latter being the gain of electrons. This interaction between oxidation and reduction helps explain many biochemical processes, such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis, where the transfer of electrons plays a critical role in energy production. Therefore, the definition of oxidation as the loss of electrons aligns perfectly with established chemical principles and terminology.