| DNA, complementary | Single-stranded complementary DNA synthesised from an RNA template by the action of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Cdna (i.e., complementary DNA, not circular DNA, not c-DNA) is used in a variety of molecular cloning experiments as well as serving as a specific hybridization probe. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| complementary DNA | <molecular biology> DNA that is synthesised from a messenger RNA template, the single-stranded form is often used as a probe in physical mapping to locate the gene or can be cloned in the double stranded form. Viral reverse transcriptase can be used to synthesise DNA that is complementary to RNA (for example an isolated mRNA). Acronym: cDNA (13 Nov 1997) |
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| complementary DNA cloning | <molecular biology, technique> A lab technique where a double-stranded cDNA molecule (or dscDNA) is inserted into a cloning vector (another DNA molecule which will continue to be capable of replication after insertion of foreign material), so that the gene encoded by the cDNA can be expressed (transcribed and used) or so many copies of the gene can be made. (09 Oct 1997) |
| complementary DNA library | <molecular biology> A collection of all of the mRNA molecules present in a cell or organism, all turned into cDNA molecules with the enzyme reverse transcriptase, then inserted into vectors (other DNA molecules which can continue to replicate after addition of foreign DNA). The library can then be probed for the specific cDNA (and thus mRNA) of interest. (09 Oct 1997) |
| DNA-directed DNA polymerase | <enzyme> DNA-dependent DNA polymerases found in bacteria, animal and plant cells. During the replication process, these enzymes catalyze the addition of deoxyribonucleotide residues to the end of a DNA strand in the presence of DNA as template-primer. They also possess exonuclease activity and therefore function in DNA repair. Chemical name: Deoxynucleoside-triphosphate:DNA deoxynucleotidyltransferase (DNA-directed) Registry number: EC 2.7.7.7 (12 Dec 1998) |
| RNA, complementary | Synthetic transcripts of a specific DNA molecule or fragment, made by an in vitro transcription system. This crna can be labelled with radioactive uracil and then used as a probe. (12 Dec 1998) |
| complementary | Supplying a defect or helping to do so, making complete, accessory. Origin: L. Complere = to fill (18 Nov 1997) |
| complementary air | The maximum volume of air that can be inspired after reaching the end of a normal, quiet expiration. It is the sum of the tidal volume and the inspiratory reserve volume. Common abbreviation is ic. (12 Dec 1998) |
| complementary base pairing | <molecular biology> The pairing of complementary nucleotide bases (adenine and thymine, guanine and cytosine) to each other via hydrogen bonds from opposite strands of a double stranded nucleic acid (such as DNA or RNA), thereby holding the double-stranded nucleic acid together. (09 Oct 1997) |
| complementary base pairs | <molecular biology> The crucial property of DNA is that the two strands are complementary: Guanine and cytosine are complementary and pair up through their hydrogen bonds, as are adenine and thymine that only form two hydrogen bonds. (adenine and uracil in RNA). (18 Nov 1997) |
| complementary colours | Pairs of different colours of light that produce white light when combined. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complementary hypertrophy | Increase in size or expansion of part of an organ or tissue to fill the space left by the destruction of another portion of the same organ or tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complementary medicine | A nonmainstream health care provided in addition or instead of standard medical practice. See: alternative medicine. (09 Oct 1997) |
| complementary role | A role in which the behaviour pattern conforms with the expectations and demands of other people. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complementary sequence | <molecular biology> Nucleicacid base sequences that can form a double-stranded structure bymatching base pairs, the complementary sequence to G-T-A-C is C-A-T-G. (09 Oct 1997) |
| complementary strand | See: replicative form. (05 Mar 2000) |