| Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells. Indigestible food stuffs are eliminated as feces. |
| study of the structure of the body and its parts without the use of a microscope |
molecule mol·e·cule (mŏl'ĭ-ky&oomacr;l')
n.
The smallest particle into which an element or a compound can be divided without changing its chemical and physical properties; a group of atoms that is held together chemically.
molecule (mŏl'ĭ-ky l') Pronunciation Key
A group of two or more atoms linked together by sharing electrons in a chemical bond. Molecules are the fundamental components of chemical compounds and are the smallest part of a compound that can participate in a chemical reaction. |
A combination of two or more atoms held together by a force between them. (See covalent bond and ionic bond.)