univalent

/,ju:ni'veilənt/

Thân thiện

A single univalent chromosome is visible under the microscope.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a valence of 1: In chemistry, describes an atom, ion, or radical that can form one covalent bond or has a combining power of one.
   • Used of a chromosome that is not paired: In genetics, describes a chromosome that remains unpaired during the pairing (synapsis) stage of meiosis.

Usage and Examples

• Chemistry Context:
  • Hydrogen is a univalent element. (Hydrogen has a valence of one.)
  • The univalent ion readily formed a bond with the chloride ion.
• Genetics Context:
  • During meiosis, the univalent chromosome failed to pair with its homolog.
  • The study focused on the segregation of univalent chromosomes.

Advanced Usage

• In Chemistry: Often used in technical descriptions of atomic bonding and molecular structure.
  • The compound's stability is affected by the presence of a univalent metal cation.
• In Genetics: A specialized term used in cytogenetics to describe chromosomal behavior.
  • Univalent chromosomes may lead to aneuploidy in gametes.

Variants and Related Words

• Univalence (noun): The state or quality of being univalent.
  • The univalence of the atom determines its bonding behavior.
• Bivalent/Trivalent/Multivalent (adjectives): Having a valence of two, three, or more than one, respectively. (These are antonyms in the chemistry sense).
  • Oxygen is bivalent, whereas nitrogen can be trivalent.

Synonyms

• Monovalent: This is a direct synonym, especially in chemistry and immunology.
  • A univalent (or monovalent) vaccine protects against a single strain.
• Unpaired: A more general synonym in the genetics context.
  • The unpaired (univalent) chromosome was clearly visible.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is chemical (valence of one). The genetic meaning (unpaired chromosome) is a specialized, distinct usage in biology. The word's meaning is entirely dependent on the scientific context.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having a valence of 1
2. used of a chromosome that is not paired or united with its homologous chromosome during synapsis
   • a univalent chromosome

Từ đồng nghĩa

• monovalent