Molecule Meaning
Molecule Definition & Usage
A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.
Examples
- "Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, forming a molecule of H2O."
- "The oxygen molecule (O2) is essential for human respiration."
- "When sugar dissolves in water, it breaks into smaller molecules."
- "Proteins are large molecules composed of long chains of amino acids."
- "Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas made of carbon and oxygen molecules."
A very small or basic unit of something.
Examples
- "The company's marketing strategy is just a molecule of a larger plan."
- "Her idea was a molecule of the overall concept but had a great impact."
- "In the context of teamwork, every individual is a molecule contributing to the success of the team."
- "The tiny molecule of truth in his statement made all the difference."
- "His words were just molecules of an idea he couldn’t quite articulate."
Cultural Context
The term 'molecule' is foundational in the fields of chemistry and biology. It is commonly taught in science classes and used in both academic and everyday discussions about the natural world. The idea of molecules being the basic units of matter was first formulated in the early 19th century and has since become a core concept in various scientific fields.
The Molecule of an Idea
Story
The Molecule of an Idea
In a small but bustling lab, Dr. Clara studied the intricacies of molecular biology. She had always been fascinated by how simple molecules could create complex structures. Today, she was working with a molecule that would change the way they understood protein folding. As she examined the chemical bonds of the molecule, she marveled at how these tiny particles could dictate everything from the shape of an enzyme to the function of the entire body. Meanwhile, across town, Henry, a young entrepreneur, sat with his team. They were brainstorming new ideas for a product launch, but the discussion was scattered and disjointed. Then, it hit him—a single molecule of an idea that could tie everything together. He leaned forward, excited. 'What if we focus on this one key aspect? It’s small, but it could be the center of everything!' Back at the lab, Dr. Clara had just finished a breakthrough experiment, where a single molecule of DNA could be engineered to behave differently under specific conditions. It was this molecule—this single, fundamental unit—that had the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. 'If we can manipulate the behavior of molecules,' she thought, 'we can rewrite the way diseases are fought.' Both Clara and Henry had recognized the power of molecules—not just as atoms bonded together, but as small but essential parts of a larger idea, a greater purpose. Whether in science or business, the right molecule could spark a change that reverberated through everything it touched.
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