Chains
Chains (Medicine)
Chains (pronunciation: /tʃeɪnz/) in the context of medicine, often refers to the sequence of molecules in a compound, or the sequence of events in a process. The term has various applications in different fields of medicine, such as biochemistry, genetics, and immunology.
Etymology
The term "chain" originates from the Old French chaine, and Latin catena meaning "a chain". In the medical context, it was first used to describe molecular structures in the 19th century.
Biochemistry
In biochemistry, chains often refer to polypeptide chains, which are linear sequences of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. These chains fold into specific three-dimensional structures, forming proteins that perform various functions in the body.
Genetics
In genetics, chains can refer to the sequence of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule. These chains carry the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms.
Immunology
In immunology, chains are part of the structure of antibodies, which are proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize pathogens. Each antibody consists of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chains
- Wikipedia's article - Chains
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