What is the term for chemical compounds that have the same chemical formula but different structural formulas?

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The term for chemical compounds that possess the same chemical formula yet differ in their structural formulas is isomers. Isomers have the same molecular formula, indicating they contain the same number and types of atoms, but their atoms are arranged differently, leading to distinct physical and chemical properties. This phenomenon is significant in biology and chemistry, as isomers can exhibit varying behaviors in reactions, functionalities, and interactions within biological systems.

Isotopes refer to variations of elements that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different atomic masses, rather than differing structures. Allotropes are different forms of the same element that exist in the same physical state but have different arrangements of atoms; for instance, carbon can exist as graphite or diamond. Monomers are the basic building blocks of more complex molecules, like polymers, and refer to smaller units that can join together, but do not pertain to the structural differences noted in isomers.

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