In an oxidation-reduction reaction, the total number of electrons lost is
(1) equal to the total number of electrons gained
(2) equal to the total number of protons gained
(3) less than the total number of electrons gained
(4) less than the total number of protons gained

Answer is: (1) equal to the total number of electrons gained.

In oxido-reduction reaction, at least one element lose and one element gain electrons.

Oxidation reaction is increasing of oxidation number of atom, because element lost electrons in chemical reaction.

Reduction is lowering oxidation number because atom gain electrons.

For example, in oxidation-reduction reaction: 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O; hydrogen is oxidized (change oxidation number from 0 to +1) and oxygen i s reduced (change oxidation number from 0 to -2).

Hydrogen lost .four electrons anf oxygen gain four electrons