In polymer science, the backbone chain or main chain of a polymer is the series of covalently bonded atoms that together create the continuous chain of the molecule.
In polypeptides, the backbone consists of carbon and nitrogen atoms of the constituent amino acids. The backbone does not include the side chains.
Famous quotes containing the word chain:
“Nae living man I’ll love again,
Since that my lovely knight is slain.
Wi ae lock of his yellow hair
I’ll chain my heart for evermair.”
—Unknown. The Lament of the Border Widow (l. 25–28)