Enantiomers are a type of stereoisomer that exist as mirror images of each other. They have identical chemical and physical properties but differ in their effects on polarized light. Some synonyms for enantiomers include optical isomers, chiral isomers, and mirror image isomers. These synonyms reflect the fact that enantiomers are distinguished by their ability to rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions. Other related terms include stereoisomers, which encompass not only enantiomers but also diastereomers, and racemic mixtures, which are equimolar mixtures of enantiomers that lack optical activity. Understanding the different names and concepts related to enantiomers is essential in fields such as chemistry, pharmacology, and biochemistry.