free radical

free radical — n technical an atom or group of atoms with at least one free ↑electron, which combines with other atoms very easily ▪ It is thought that free radicals can damage cells …   Dictionary of contemporary English

free radical — n an esp. reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electrons esp one that is produced in the body by natural biological processes or introduced from outside (as in tobacco smoke, toxins, or pollutants) and that can damage… …   Medical dictionary

free radical — noun count SCIENCE a molecule that has an extra ELECTRON and can react very easily with other molecules. Free radicals sometimes form in the human body and can cause cancer …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

free radical — n. an atom or molecule having at least one unpaired electron: free radicals are usually reactive and unstable …   English World dictionary

free radical — noun an atom or group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron; in the body it is usually an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron and will stabilize itself by stealing an electron from a nearby molecule (Freq. 2) in the body free… …   Useful english dictionary

free radical — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms free radical : singular free radical plural free radicals science a molecule that has an extra electron and can react very easily with other molecules. Free radicals sometimes form in the human body and can… …   English dictionary

free radical — laisvasis radikalas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. free radical vok. freies Radikal, n rus. свободный радикал, m pranc. radical libre, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

free radical — laisvasis radikalas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Atomas arba grupė, turinti orbitalę su nesuporuotu elektronu. atitikmenys: angl. free radical rus. свободный радикал …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

free radical — free radicals N COUNT: usu pl Free radicals are atoms that contain one or more unpaired electrons. Free radicals are believed to be a cause of ageing, heart disease, and some cancers. [TECHNICAL] …   English dictionary

free radical — free′ rad′ical n. biochem. a molecular fragment that bears one or more unpaired electrons and is therefore highly reactive • Etymology: 1895–1900 …   From formal English to slang

free radical — Chem., Biochem. an atom or molecule that bears an unpaired electron and is extremely reactive, capable of engaging in rapid chain reactions that destabilize other molecules and generate many more free radicals: in the body, deactivated by… …   Universalium