Covalent Bonds Covalent bonds are forces that hold atoms together. The forces are formed when the atoms of a molecule share electrons. You will learn more about the chemistry of covalent bond formation when you take Chemistry 1.
Covalent bonds represent chemical potential energy that can be used in biological reactions.
The angles formed between covalently bonded atoms are specific and defined. This means that biological molecules formed with covalent bonds have definite and predicable shapes. In biological systems, covalent bonds are called strong bonds. This means that they are not normally broken under biological conditions unless by enzymic catalysis. This is in opposition to weak bonds like hydrogen and ionic bonds which are easily broken under normal biological conditions of temperature and pressure.