A weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom (already covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom) and a nearby electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, is called a(n):

1. This kind of weak, non-covalent attraction is central to many biological structures, such as DNA base pairing. 2. The text describes this interaction and names it: "...oxygen or nitrogen, or within the same molecule. This interaction is called a hydrogen bond." 3. Ionic bonds involve full electron transfer, covalent bonds involve electron sharing within a single molecule, and metallic bonds occur between metal atoms -- none matches this weak intermolecular attraction. 4. So this specific weak attraction is called a hydrogen bond. _Source: OpenStax Biology Ch 2 "The Chemical Foundation of Life", p.41 §2.1 | Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules: The Building Blocks_