Epimer

/ˈɛpɪmər/ noun

Definition

One of two or more chemical compounds that differ only in the spatial arrangement of atoms around a single carbon atom.

Etymology

From 'epi-' (upon, distinct) + '-mer' (from Greek 'meros,' part), coined to describe compounds that are nearly identical but structurally distinct.

Kelly Says

Epimers are like mirror twins in chemistry—glucose and galactose are epimers, meaning tiny atomic rearrangements completely change how your body processes them, yet they're made of the same atoms!

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