bivalent

/'dai'veilənt/

Thân thiện

A scientist examines a bivalent structure under a microscope.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • In chemistry: Having a valence of two; capable of combining with two atoms of hydrogen or their equivalent.
   • In genetics: Used to describe homologous chromosomes associated in pairs during synapsis in the first meiotic division.

Usage and Examples

• Chemistry context:
  • Oxygen is a bivalent element, often forming compounds like H₂O.
  • The bivalent metal ion readily bonded with two chloride ions.
• Genetics/Biology context:
  • During prophase I, bivalent chromosomes are clearly visible under the microscope.
  • The number of bivalents corresponds to the haploid number of the organism.

Advanced Usage

• "Bivalent vaccine": A vaccine designed to protect against two different strains of a pathogen or two different diseases.
  • The new bivalent booster targets both the original virus and the Omicron variant.
• "Bivalent logic": A less common term referring to classical two-valued logic (e.g., true/false), though "binary" is more standard.
  • The system operates on bivalent logic, where every statement is either true or false.

Variants and Related Words

• Bivalence (n): The state or condition of being bivalent.
  • The bivalence of the atom determines its bonding behavior.
• Divalent (adj): A synonym in chemistry, meaning having a valence of two. (Note: "Divalent" is more common in modern chemical nomenclature).
  • Calcium is a divalent cation (Ca²⁺).
• Univalent (adj): Having a valence of one. (Antonym in chemistry).
  • Sodium is a univalent ion (Na⁺).
• Multivalent (adj): Having a valence of more than two, or having multiple values or meanings.
  • The antibody was multivalent, binding to several different antigens.

Synonyms

• Divalent: (Chemistry) Having a valence of two.
• Double-bonded: (Chemistry, specific) Sharing two pairs of electrons.
• Paired: (Genetics) Associated in pairs.

Antonyms

• Monovalent / Univalent: (Chemistry) Having a valence of one.
• Multivalent / Polyvalent: (Chemistry) Having a valence of more than two.
• Univalent: (Genetics) Not associated in a pair; referring to unpaired chromosomes.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis
2. having a valence of two or having two valences

Từ đồng nghĩa

• double
• divalent