monovalent

/'mɔnou'veilənt/

Thân thiện

A sodium ion is a monovalent cation.

Definition

1. Adjective (Chemistry):
   • Having a valence of one. This means an atom or ion can form only one covalent bond or combine with a single atom of another element.
2. Adjective (Immunology/Biology):
   • Containing or involving only one kind of antibody. This often refers to a vaccine or serum that protects against a single strain or type of microorganism.

Usage and Examples

• Chemistry Context:
  • Sodium is a monovalent metal, forming compounds like NaCl.
  • A monovalent ion, such as K⁺, carries a single positive charge.
• Immunology/Biology Context:
  • The early polio vaccine was monovalent, targeting only one of the three virus types.
  • A monovalent antiserum is specific to a single antigen.

Advanced Usage

• In Genetics: The term can describe a chromosome that has no homologous partner during meiosis.
  • The unpaired chromosome remained monovalent during the first division.

Variants and Related Words

• Univalent: A synonym, particularly common in chemistry and genetics.
  • Univalent atoms are also called monovalent.
• Divalent: Having a valence of two.
• Polyvalent/Multivalent: Having multiple valences or containing several different antibodies.

Synonyms

• Univalent (for chemistry/valence meaning)
• Specific (for immunology, implying action against a single target)

Antonyms

• Polyvalent
• Multivalent

Notes

• In chemistry, "monovalent" is synonymous with "univalent."
• In biology/medicine, a "monovalent vaccine" contrasts with a "polyvalent" or "combination" vaccine, which immunizes against several diseases or strains at once.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having a valence of 1
2. containing only one kind of antibody

Từ đồng nghĩa

• univalent