hydrogen bond
"Hydrogen bonds" are crucial for the structure and properties of many compounds, especially in water, proteins, and DNA.
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Definition
C1Chemistry
(technical, academic)A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) and another electronegative atom with a lone pair of electrons.
Example
- Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds, contributing to its high boiling point.
- Hydrogen bonds between base pairs in DNA are essential for its double helix structure.
C1Biology
(technical, academic)A weak bond crucial for the structure of biological molecules, formed between a hydrogen atom attached to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.
Example
- Hydrogen bonds help maintain the shape of proteins and nucleic acids.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hydrogen bond":
hydrogen ionhydrogen acidcoordinate bondpeptide bondhydrogen cyclehydrogen sulfatebond energyhydrogen air