Ungepaarte

Ungepaarte is a German adjective meaning not paired or lacking a partner. It is used to describe objects, entities or states that do not form a pair. The term is formed from the prefix un- plus gepaart (paired) and is typically used before plural nouns in attributive position, for example ungepaarte Chromosomen or ungepaarte Elektronen. Its precise sense depends on the disciplinary context, but the core idea remains the absence of a partner or counterpart.

In biology and genetics, ungepaarte Chromosomen refers to chromosomes that are not present in homologous pairs during a given stage or cellular context. Normally, homologous chromosomes pair during cell division, but conditions such as haploidy or certain meiotic situations can involve chromosomes that are not paired. The phrase is used to describe chromosomal configurations rather than a functional state.

In chemistry and physics, ungepaarte Elektronen denote electrons that are not paired with a partner spin in an orbital. Species with unpaired electrons are typically radicals and exhibit distinct reactivity and magnetic properties. Examples include simple radicals like the nitric oxide radical NO and various other chemical species where the electron count leaves one unpaired electron. The concept is also used in discussions of electronic structure and magnetism, where unpaired spins contribute to paramagnetism.

Etymology: ungepaart derives from un- (not) plus gepaart (paired), with gepaart from paare/ paaren (to pair). The form ungepaarte is the attributive plural form used before plural nouns. See also gepaart, Paarung, Radikal.