monovalentes

Monovalentes is the plural form of monovalente, a term used in chemistry, biology, and medicine to describe something that has valence one or relates to a single antigen or binding site. In chemistry, monovalent describes atoms or ions that can form or carry a single bond or charge. The concept of valence is the combining capacity of an atom in reactions. Monovalent species typically form one bond and bear a charge of +1 or −1. Common examples of monovalent cations include H+, Li+, Na+, and K+, while common monovalent anions include Cl−, Br−, and I−. This designation contrasts with divalent, trivalent, and higher valences, which form two, three, or more bonds or carry larger charges.

In medicine and vaccinology, monovalentes refers to vaccines or immune interventions that target a single antigen or serotype. A monovalent vaccine contains antigen material from one strain or one antigenic determinant, aiming to induce immunity specifically to that target. Such vaccines are used when precise protection is desired or to reduce potential antigenic interference, and they are contrasted with polyvalent or multivalent vaccines, which cover multiple strains or antigens in a single formulation.

In immunology and biochemistry, the term also appears to describe interactions or molecules that engage a single binding site, as opposed to multivalent interactions that involve several sites. Monovalent interactions can offer high specificity, though they may differ in overall strength compared with polyvalent or multivalent bindings. Monovalentes, as a concept, thus spans several disciplines by indicating unity in valence or targeting a single antigenic component.