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Glite Dictionary
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stereospecific

stereospecific

9.5
A molecule or enzyme that reacts only with one arrangement of atoms
  • adjective
  • /ˌstɛrɪoʊspəˈsɪfɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estereoespecífico
  • A stereospecific reaction produces only one possible stereoisomer as a product.

Examples

  • The enzyme is stereospecific and will only react with the left-handed form of the molecule.

  • The enzyme is stereospecific for the D-isomer.

  • Because the receptor is stereospecific, only the (R)-enantiomer produces a biological response.

  • Researchers found a stereospecific reaction pathway.

  • The drug is stereospecific, meaning it only targets one particular isomer of the molecule.

  • Researchers found that the enzyme exhibits stereospecific behavior, reacting only with a specific spatial arrangement of the substrate.

  • In this experiment, we used a stereospecific catalyst that only promotes reactions with certain stereoisomers.

Surface Forms

stereospecific positive

Morphology

stereospecific = specific (semi-transparent) = stereo + specific

The combining form 'stereo-' is technical (referring to spatial/stereoisomer relations) and may not be known to general learners, though the parts map predictably for learners with scientific background.

Etymology

The word stereospecific comes from stereo- 'three-dimensional' and specific 'particular', so a stereospecific enzyme or molecule will only fit and react with a partner that has the right 3-D shape, like a key that fits only one lock.