The Dalton (Da) is a unit of mass utilized in chemistry and biochemistry to quantify the relative mass of atoms and molecules. It is defined as exactly one twelfth of the mass of a single, neutral, unbound atom of carbon-12. This unit is crucial for calculating the stoichiometry of compounds and determining the molecular weights of substances. The adoption of the Dalton provides a consistent and manageable scale for understanding the fundamental components of matter within chemical systems.