parent

chemical nomenclature
Also known as: root

Learn about this topic in these articles:

hydrocarbons

  • structures of common hydrocarbon compounds
    In hydrocarbon: Nomenclature

    …in the molecule, called the parent. The alkane shown has seven carbons in its longest chain and is therefore named as a derivative of heptane, the unbranched alkane that contains seven carbon atoms. The position of the CH3 (methyl) substituent on the seven-carbon chain is specified by a number (3-),…

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soil

  • Chernozem soil profile
    In soil: Parent material

    Parent material is the initial state of the solid matter making up a soil. It can consist of consolidated rocks, and it can also include unconsolidated deposits such as river alluvium, lake or marine sediments, glacial tills, loess (silt-sized, wind-deposited particles), volcanic ash,…

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