| binary complex | A noncovalent complex of two molecules; often referring to the enzyme-substrate complex in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Compare: central complex, Michaelis complex. Synonym: enzyme-substrate complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| binary | Compounded or consisting of two things or parts; characterised by two (things). Binary arithmetic, that in which numbers are expressed according to the binary scale, or in which two figures only, 0 and 1, are used, in lieu of ten; the cipher multiplying everything by two, as in common arithmetic by ten. Thus, 1 is one; 10 is two; 11 is three; 100 is four, etc. <chemistry> Binary compound, the theory that all chemical compounds consist of two constituents of opposite and unlike qualities. Origin: L. Binarius, fr. Bini two by two, two at a time, fr. Root of bis twice; akin to E. Two: cf. F. Binaire. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| binary acid | <chemistry> This refers to any compound that acts as an acid and which is composed of hydrogen plus only one other element. (09 Oct 1997) |
| binary collisions | <radiobiology> Collisions involving only two particles, multiparticle collisions (e.g., three-body collisions) are usually neglected or approximated. (09 Oct 1997) |
| binary combination | The name of a species of bacteria consisting of two parts: a generic name and a specific epithet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| binary compound | <chemistry> This refers to any compound that is composed of only two elements. (09 Oct 1997) |
| binary digit | The smallest unit of digital information expressed in the binary system of notation (either 0 or 1). The signal in computing. (05 Mar 2000) |
| binary fission | <cell biology> Division of a cell into two daughter cells after DNA replication and nuclear division (mitosis). A form of asexual reproduction. (09 Oct 1997) |
| binary nomenclature | The system of nomenclature in which the names of species are composed of two parts, a generic name and a specific epithet (species name, in botany). Synonym: binary nomenclature, binomial nomenclature. Origin: Carl von Linne (05 Mar 2000) |
| binary process | A random event with two exhaustive and mutually exclusive outcomes; a Bernoulli process. (05 Mar 2000) |
| association mechanism | The cerebral mechanism whereby the memory of past sensations may be compared or associated with present ones. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biochemical mechanism | This is the general term for any chemical reaction or series of reactions, usually mediated by enzymes, which produce a given physiological effect in a living organism. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Cairns mechanism | <molecular biology> A mechanism for the replication of a double stranded circular DNA molecule. Replication is initiated at a fixed point and proceeds either uni or bi directionally. (18 Nov 1997) |
| gating mechanism | Occurrence of the maximum refractory period among cardiac conducting cells approximately 2 mm proximal to the terminal Purkinje fibres in the ventricular muscle, beyond which the refractory period is shortened through a sequence of Purkinje cells, transitional cells, and muscular cells; gating mechanism may be a cause of ventricular aberration, bidirectional tachycardia, and concealed extrasystoles, a mechanism by which painful impulses may be blocked from entering the spinal cord. Compare: gate-control theory. (05 Mar 2000) |
| random mechanism | A scheme for substrate binding and product release for a multisubstrate enzyme; for a two-substrate two-product enzyme with this mechanism, either substrate can bind first and, after the reaction has taken place, either product can be the first to dissociate from the enzyme. Brain hexokinase has a random mechanism. More complex random mechanisms exist for enzymes having more than two substrates. (05 Mar 2000) |