MONOVALENT Meaning and
Definition
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Monovalent is an adjective that refers to a chemical element or compound having a single electron available for bonding. It describes an atom or ion with just one valence electron in its outermost energy level. Valence electrons are the electrons found in the outermost shell of an atom, and they determine the atom's tendency to form chemical bonds. In the context of valency, monovalent signifies an element or ion that has a valence of one, meaning it can form only one chemical bond or combine with another atom or ion by sharing a single electron.
In chemistry, monovalent ions are commonly found in many compounds and play crucial roles in various chemical reactions. For example, sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions are monovalent cations, meaning they carry a single positive charge. These ions are highly mobile in aqueous solutions and are essential for many physiological processes, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
Additionally, the term monovalent can be used to describe vaccines that are designed to protect against a single strain or variant of a particular virus. These vaccines elicit an immune response specifically targeting the antigens found on the surface of that particular strain, providing immunity against only that specific variant.
In summary, monovalent refers to a chemical element or compound with a single valence electron, an ion with a valence of one, or a vaccine directed against a single strain of a virus. This term is frequently used in the fields of chemistry, physics, and immunology to describe various important concepts.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MONOVALENT
- nonovalent
- konovalent
- jonovalent
- minovalent
- mknovalent
- mlnovalent
- mpnovalent
- m0novalent
- m9novalent
- mobovalent
- momovalent
- mojovalent
- mohovalent
- monivalent
- monkvalent
- monlvalent
- monpvalent
- mon0valent
- mon9valent
Etymology of MONOVALENT
The word "monovalent" has its roots in Latin.
The prefix "mono-" comes from the Greek word "monos", meaning "alone" or "single". In medicine and chemistry, it is used to indicate that something has a single or a simple nature.
The term "valent" is derived from the Latin word "valere", meaning "to be strong" or "to have worth". In chemistry, it refers to the combining power or capacity of an element to form chemical bonds with other elements.
Combining these roots, "monovalent" in chemistry describes an atom or an ion that has a valence of one, meaning it can form only one chemical bond.
Similar spelling words for MONOVALENT
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