Bivalent (/baɪˈveɪlənt/) is spelled with a "b-i" at the beginning, followed by "v-a-l-e-n-t." The pronunciation uses the stressed syllable "ve" with a "long i" sound, and the "lent" syllable with a "short e" sound. The word describes something that has two valences or two connections to other atoms or molecules. As a term used in chemistry, it is important to spell bivalent correctly to ensure accurate communication in scientific research and discussions.
Bivalent is an adjective that is used to describe something that has two mutually exclusive or contradictory qualities, properties, or meanings. It is derived from the Latin word "bi-" meaning "two" and "valentia" meaning "strength" or "power".
In the field of chemistry, bivalent refers to an element or an ion that has a valence of two. This means that the element or ion is capable of forming two chemical bonds with other elements or ions. For example, oxygen is bivalent because it can form two bonds, whereas carbon is tetravalent because it can form four bonds.
In the context of genetics and reproduction, bivalent refers to a pair of homologous chromosomes that come together during meiosis. These bivalents are formed by the crossing over of genetic material between the paired chromosomes, resulting in new combinations of genes. This process is crucial for genetic variation and the passing on of traits from one generation to another.
Bivalent can also be used in logic and philosophy to describe a proposition or a statement that can either be true or false, having only two possible truth values. In this context, bivalent is opposite to multivalent, which refers to a proposition that can have more than two truth values, such as in fuzzy logic.
Overall, bivalent refers to something that possesses two distinct qualities, properties, or meanings, be it in chemistry, genetics, logic, or other fields.
Having a combining power equal to two atoms of hydrogen.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "bivalent" is derived from the Latin word "bivalens", which is a combination of "bi-" (meaning "two") and "valens" (meaning "powerful" or "strong"). The term "bivalent" is used in various fields, most commonly in genetics and chemistry, to refer to an object or entity that has two distinct parts or properties.