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Macromolecular size refers to the dimensions or molecular weight of large molecules, which significantly influence their physical and chemical properties, such as solubility, viscosity, and biological activity. Understanding macromolecular size is crucial for applications in fields like polymer science, biochemistry, and pharmaceuticals, where it affects the functionality and performance of macromolecules in various environments.
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Molecular weight, also known as molecular mass, is the sum of the atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule, typically expressed in unified atomic mass units (u). It is crucial for calculating the stoichiometry of chemical reactions and determining the properties of substances in various scientific and industrial applications.
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Polymer science is the study of large, chain-like molecules made up of repeating structural units, which are crucial in both natural and synthetic materials. This field encompasses the synthesis, characterization, and application of polymers, impacting industries from plastics and textiles to biotechnology and electronics.
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Biopolymers are naturally occurring polymers produced by living organisms, including proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, and are biodegradable and often biocompatible, making them ideal for various applications in medicine, packaging, and environmental sustainability. Their structure and function are determined by their monomeric units and the sequence in which these units are arranged, which can be tailored for specific uses through biotechnological advancements.
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Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow, often perceived as 'thickness' or internal friction. It is a crucial property in fluid dynamics, affecting how substances move and interact under various forces and conditions.
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Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, forming a homogeneous mixture at a specific temperature and pressure. It is influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent, and is crucial in fields ranging from chemistry to pharmacology.
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is a type of size exclusion chromatography that separates polymers based on their size in solution, allowing for the determination of molecular weight distribution. It is a critical technique in polymer science for analyzing the composition and behavior of polymer chains in various applications.
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Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a technique used to determine the size distribution of small particles in suspension or polymers in solution by measuring the fluctuations in the intensity of scattered light. It is widely used in fields like biochemistry and materials science for characterizing nanoparticles, proteins, and colloidal dispersions due to its non-invasive nature and ability to provide rapid results.
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Molecular conformation refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule that can change without breaking chemical bonds, often through rotations around single bonds. This flexibility allows molecules to adopt different shapes, which can significantly influence their chemical properties and biological activities.
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The hydrodynamic radius is a measure of how a particle diffuses in a fluid, representing the effective size of a particle as it moves through a solvent. It is crucial for understanding the behavior of macromolecules and nanoparticles in various scientific fields, especially in determining their interactions and stability in solutions.
Size-exclusion chromatography is a separation technique that sorts molecules based on their size by passing them through a porous matrix. Larger molecules elute first because they are excluded from entering the pores, while smaller molecules penetrate the pores and elute later.
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Hydrodynamic volume refers to the effective volume occupied by a polymer or macromolecule in solution, which is influenced by its conformation and interactions with the solvent. It is a crucial parameter in determining the behavior and properties of polymers, especially in processes like gel permeation chromatography and in understanding viscosity and diffusion characteristics.
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