heavy chain
noun
: either of the two larger of the four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies compare light chain
Examples of heavy chain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Others were also found in the rain in outdoor pens or on heavy chains.
—
Joseph P. Smith, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Designed to be worn across two fingers, two gold bands are connected by a heavy chain representing the strength of connection.
—Caitie Kelly Kin Woo Kate Guadagnino Nicole Demarco Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024
Before filming the Avengers movies, Brie went from being out of breath on an uphill walk, per People, to being able to casually burst out a set of pushups with a heavy chain wrapped around her waist.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 10 Aug. 2023
Strangely, the students found only heavy chain proteins in the blood even though antibodies were supposed to also have light chains.
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
In addition to these standard antibodies, sharks and camels and their relatives make antibodies with only heavy chains (middle and right).
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
Scientists still don’t know why camelids and cartilaginous fishes, like sharks, are the only animals known to make heavy chain antibodies.
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
For docking or heavy conditions, add a length of heavy chain equal to the length of the boat.
—Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023
As the anchor drags across the bottom, the heavy chain forces the anchor shaft down and pushes the flukes into the bottom.
—Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023
Joseph P. Smith, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Designed to be worn across two fingers, two gold bands are connected by a heavy chain representing the strength of connection.
—Caitie Kelly Kin Woo Kate Guadagnino Nicole Demarco Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024
Before filming the Avengers movies, Brie went from being out of breath on an uphill walk, per People, to being able to casually burst out a set of pushups with a heavy chain wrapped around her waist.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 10 Aug. 2023
Strangely, the students found only heavy chain proteins in the blood even though antibodies were supposed to also have light chains.
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
In addition to these standard antibodies, sharks and camels and their relatives make antibodies with only heavy chains (middle and right).
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
Scientists still don’t know why camelids and cartilaginous fishes, like sharks, are the only animals known to make heavy chain antibodies.
—Christina Szalinski, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023
For docking or heavy conditions, add a length of heavy chain equal to the length of the boat.
—Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023
As the anchor drags across the bottom, the heavy chain forces the anchor shaft down and pushes the flukes into the bottom.
—Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heavy chain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Heavy chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy%20chain. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
heavy chain
noun
: either of the two larger of the four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies compare light chain
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