A chiral center, also known as a chiral carbon, is a specific type of atom in a molecule that has four different substituents attached to it. This unique arrangement allows the molecule to exist in two non-superimposable mirror images, known as enantiomers. These enantiomers can have different chemical properties and biological activities, making chirality an important concept in fields like organic chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Chirality is significant because many biological molecules, such as amino acids and sugars, are chiral. The presence of a chiral center can influence how a molecule interacts with enzymes and receptors in living organisms. Understanding chiral centers is crucial for designing drugs that are effective and safe, as one enantiomer may be beneficial while the other could be harmful.