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2023/07/31
2023/07/31
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science,chemistry
https://cdn.kastatic.org/ka-perseus-images/ed77aec8ebc93b4b14f3263f2939525522352a05.png
Molecule with the same chemical formula (e.g. C4H10) but with different bonding, shape, or orientation. Isomers may have different chemical properties -- even though they're made out of the same atoms!
In the context of large biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates, structural differences in the carbon skeleton often affect how the molecule functions.
The difference between a pair of enantiomers may seem very small. In some cases, though, two enantiomers may have very different biological effects. For example, the D form of the drug ethambutol is used to treat tuberculosis, while the L form actually causes blindness!