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Oligomers
In chemistry and biochemistry, an oligomer () is a molecule that consists of a few repeating units which could be derived, actually or conceptually, from smaller molecules, monomers.Quote: ''Oligomer molecule: A molecule of intermediate relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises a small plurality of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of lower relative molecular mass.'' The name is composed of Greek elements '' oligo-'', "a few" and '' -mer'', "parts". An adjective form is ''oligomeric''. The oligomer concept is contrasted to that of a polymer, which is usually understood to have a large number of units, possibly thousands or millions. However, there is no sharp distinction between these two concepts. One proposed criterion is whether the molecule's properties vary significantly with the removal of one or a few of the units. An oligomer with a specific number of units is referred to by the Greek prefix denoting that number, w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pentamer
A pentamer is an entity composed of five subunits. In chemistry, it applies to molecules made of five monomers. In biochemistry, it applies to macromolecules, particularly pentameric proteins, made of five protein sub-units. In microbiology, a pentamer is one of the proteins that compose the polyhedral protein shell that encloses the bacterial micro-compartments known as carboxysomes. In immunology, an MHC pentamer is a reagent used to detect antigen-specific CD8+ T cell T cells (also known as T lymphocytes) are an important part of the immune system and play a central role in the adaptive immune response. T cells can be distinguished from other lymphocytes by the presence of a T-cell receptor (TCR) on their cell ...s. See also * penta prefix * -mer suffix * Pentamerism * '' Pentamerous Metamorphosis'', an album by Global Communication * Pentamery (botany), having five parts in a distinct whorl of a plant structure * Pentamerous can also refer to animals, such as c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
