1.
[syn: cross-link, cross-linkage]
VERB (1)
1. join by creating covalent bonds (of adjacent chains of a polymer or protein);
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
cross-link \cross-link\ v. t. [imp. & p. p. cross-linked, p.
pr. & vb. n. cross-linking.] (Chem., Biochem.)
to create cross links in; -- of polymeric molecules.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
cross-link \cross-link\ n. (Chem., Biochem.)
a covalent bond that links two chains of atoms, or two
sections of one chain, in a polymeric molecule; the
cross-link is created by a third bond in a monomer unit in
addition to the two bonds forming the polymeric chain; -- a
cross-link may be internal to a single chain, rather than
between two otherwise unlinked chains; as, ultraviolet
irradiation creates cross-links between the two chains of a
DNA double helix; many enzymes have cross-links formed by
disulfide bonds; polystyrene resins have their porosity
controlled by the proportion of cross-links. Called also
cross-linkage.
Syn: cross-linkage.
[WordNet 1.5]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
cross-link
n 1: a side bond that links two adjacent chains of atoms in a
complex molecule [syn: cross-link, cross-linkage]
v 1: join by creating covalent bonds (of adjacent chains of a
polymer or protein)