Molecule

Definition

A molecule is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that can exist independently, consisting of two or more atoms bonded together by chemical bonds. In anatomy and physiology, molecules form the building blocks of cells and tissues, participating in a wide range of biological processes.

Related terms

Atom: The basic unit of matter that consists of a dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons.

Chemical bond: An attraction between two atoms resulting from the sharing or transfer of valence electrons, forming molecules.

Compound:

A substance made up of two or more different types of atoms bonded together in a fixed proportion