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Chirality
from class:
Microbiology
Definition
Chirality is a property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image. Chiral molecules usually have at least one carbon atom bonded to four different groups.
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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Chiral molecules are essential in biochemistry because many biomolecules, such as amino acids and sugars, are chiral.
- The two non-superimposable forms of a chiral molecule are called enantiomers.
- Enzymes, which are proteins, often show selectivity for one enantiomer over the other due to their own chiral nature.
- In biological systems, only one enantiomer of chiral molecules is typically active or functional.
- Chirality can affect the way drugs interact with biological targets; hence, pharmaceutical companies often focus on synthesizing a specific enantiomer.
Review Questions
- What makes a molecule chiral?
- Why is chirality important in biochemistry?
- What term describes the two non-superimposable forms of a chiral molecule?
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