complementarity (redirected from complementarity-determining region (CDR))

com·ple·men·tar·i·ty (kmpl-mn-tr-t)

n.

1. The correspondence or similarity between nucleotides or strands of nucleotides of DNA and RNA molecules that allows precise pairing.

2. The affinity that an antigen and an antibody have for each other as a result of the chemical arrangement of their combining sites.

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complementarity (kamˑ·pl·men·tarˑ··tē),

n a concept in quantum physics, proposed by Neils Bohr, in which total information about a subject or system cannot be obtained because the information is located in at least two complementary qualities. Measuring one quality precludes measurement of the other.

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complementarity

the relationship between bases in the DNA double helix whereby every base on one strand is matched to a complementary hydrogen bonding base on the other strand.

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complementarity-determining region (CDR)

restricted regions within the variable regions of antibodies that bind to antigenic determinants.