hydrogen bond acceptor

A hydrogen bond acceptor is an atom or molecule component that can attract and hold a hydrogen atom sharing a bond with another molecule. Specifically, it has a lone pair of electrons that can form a weak but specific attraction to a hydrogen atom already bonded to an electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen. This interaction, called a hydrogen bond, plays a key role in stabilizing structures like water, proteins, and DNA. Think of it as a “docking site” where the hydrogen "docks" due to the attraction, helping molecules stick together or maintain specific shapes.