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side chain

American  

noun

Chemistry.
  1. an open chain of atoms attached to an atom of a larger chain, or to a ring.


side chain British  

noun

  1. chem a group of atoms bound to an atom, usually a carbon, that forms part of a larger chain or ring in a molecule

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

side chain Scientific  
/ sīd /
  1. A chain or ring in an organic molecule that branches off from a central structure or from a part that is a point of reference.


Etymology

Origin of side chain

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Non-susceptible species lack lysine at this position, which has a large side chain; macaques instead have asparagine, which contributes to HBV resistance.

From Science Daily

On the retail side, chain pharmacies are facing heavy competition from giants such as Amazon and Walmart, while a drop in consumer spending and an increase in theft have continued to eat into profits, analysts said.

From Los Angeles Times

On the retail side, chain pharmacies are facing heavy competition from giants such as Amazon and Walmart, a drop in consumer spending and an increase in theft that can eat into profits, analysts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Most of them were lipids, including arachidonic acid and other complex lipids containing either an arachidonic or a linoleic fatty acid side chain, the study specified.

From Salon

Dr. Stacey notes, "Intriguingly, we observed a pattern whereby a genetic propensity to higher levels of lipids containing an arachidonic acid fatty acid side chain was associated with a lower risk of bipolar disorder, while the inverse was true of lipids containing a linoleic acid side chain. Since arachidonic acid is synthesized from linoleic acid in the liver, this suggests arachidonic acid synthesizing pathways are important for bipolar disorder."

From Science Daily