side chain

Definition of side chain

: a shorter chain or group of atoms attached to a principal chain or to a ring in a molecule

Examples of side chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The alkyl side chain is the driving force behind a cannabinoid's effects on humans. — Kristen Rogers, CNN, "Scientists discovered a weed compound that may be 30 times more powerful than THC," 3 Feb. 2020 At that resolution, the researchers could make out the side chains of the virus’s proteins, which had been difficult to see in earlier images by other groups. — Jaclyn Jeffrey-wilensky, STAT, "Researchers reveal the sharpest image to date of the Zika virus," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'side chain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near side chain

side-chain theory

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Cite this Entry

“Side chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/side%20chain. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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