Even molecules act like individuals Molecules, it seems, can exhibit a surprising degree of individuality.
Molecular individualism is a new surprise.
We discovered it because we have developed the ability to visualize and manipulate single molecules. He spoke on Friday, Feb. 13, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Philadelphia. Limitations of bulk studies Previously, scientists have been limited to studying polymers in bulk, by the millions and billions. Chu likens it to trying to determine the nature of animals in a zoo using only information about averages. If someone did a series of experiments that only measured the average size, weight and number of legs of the animals, he would get a distorted picture.