| determinant | 1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination. 2. <mathematics> The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws; thus, the determinant of the nine numbers. Is a b' c'' a b'' c' + a' b'' c] a' b c'' + a'' b' c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics. 3. <logic> A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| determinant group | That part of an antigenic molecule against which a particular immune response is directed. For instance a tetra to penta peptide sequence in a protein, a tri to penta glycoside sequence in a polysaccharide. In the animal most antigens will present several or even many antigenic determinants simultaneously. See: hapten. (18 Nov 1997) |
| antigenic determinant | That part of an antigenic molecule against which a particular immune response is directed. For instance a tetra to penta peptide sequence in a protein, a tri to penta glycoside sequence in a polysaccharide. In the animal most antigens will present several or even many antigenic determinants simultaneously. See: hapten. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| genetic determinant | Any antigenic determinant or identifying characteristic, particularly those of allotypes. Synonym: genetic marker. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mathematical determinant | A formal algebraic operation on the terms of a square matrix of quantities, fundamental in solving multiple simultaneous equations and widely used in regression analysis, notably in epidemiology and quantitative genetics. If determinant is zero, the equations have no unambiguous solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| idiotypic antigenic determinant | The antigenic specificites defined by the unique sequences (idiotopes) of the antigen combining site. Thus anti-idiotype antibodies combine with those specific sequences, may block immunological reactions and may resemble the epitope to which the first antibody reacts. (18 Nov 1997) |
| isoallotypic determinant | <genetics> Genetic determinant's that are both isotypic and allotypic in that they appear in all members of at least one subclass of immunoglobulin but only in some members of another subclass of the same species. (05 Mar 2000) |