| complementary strands | <molecular biology> Two single strands of DNA in which the nucleotide sequence is such that they will bind as a result of base pairing throughout their full length. (05 Jan 1998) |
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| complementary structures | Structures that define one another; e.g., the two strands of duplex DNA. (05 Mar 2000) |
| complementation | <cell biology> The ability of a mutant chromosome to restore normal function to a cell that has a mutation in the homologous chromosome when a hybrid or heterokaryon is formed the explanation being that the mutations are in different cistrons and between the two a complete set of normal information is present. (18 Nov 1997) |
| complementation-fixation test | <investigation> A test for the presence of antibodies in a serum, based on whether an antigen and complement, when put together with some red blood cells, are able to destroy them. If the red blood cells are destroyed, then antibodies were not present to prevent it. If the red blood cells are not destroyed, then antibodies were present to combine with the antigen and bind the complement, making them unable to attack the red blood cells. (09 Oct 1997) |