Interaction of adjacent bonds in a chemical compound having alternating single and double covalent bonds. The conjugated bonds show modified characteristics because of increased electron delocalization and sharing. Conjugation occurs, for example, within a molecule containing a chain of carbon atoms linked by alternating single and double bonds. Such a conjugated system often gives rise to substances with intense colours e.g., the biological pigments called carotenes. Another example is the carboxyl group (see carboxylic acid; functional group), in which the double bond of the carbonyl group (CO) is adjacent to the single bond attaching the hydroxyl group (OH) to the carbon atom
A kind of sexual union; applied to a blending of the contents of two or more cells or individuals in some plants and lower animals, by which new spores or germs are developed
A process having a unidirectional transfer of genetic information through direct cellular contact between a donar ("male") and a recipient ("female") bacterial cell
A series of alternating single and multiple bonds with overlapping p orbitals For example, 1,3-butadiene is a conjugated diene, and the allyl cation is a conjugated carbocation