side chain

American  

noun

Chemistry.

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

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of side chain

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

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 • Dec. 3, 2024

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 • Aug. 31, 2024

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 • May 2, 2024

They therefore attached a ‘masking’ group to the side chain of DAP so that the modified ncAA could be distinguished from the canonical amino acids.

From Nature • Dec. 11, 2018

What distinguishes the 20 amino acids from one another is their variable group, which is referred to as a side chain or an R-group.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013