univalent
/,ju:ni'veilənt/
Definition
- 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.
Adjective
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having a valence of 1
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used of a chromosome that is not paired or united with its homologous chromosome during synapsis
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a univalent chromosome
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