The principle of complementarity: the essence of the concept and the main regularities in the field of genetics

Complementarity is the property of the two structures to correspond to each other in a special way.

The principle of complementarity finds application in various spheres of human activity. So, the essence of complementarity in the learning process concerns the exact characteristics of the formation and development of students in the context of the subject structure of school instruction. In the field of composer creativity, he is associated with the use of citations, and in chemistry this principle is the spatial correspondence of the structures of two different molecules between which hydrogen bonds and intermolecular interaction can arise.

The principle of complementarity in biology concerns the correspondence of molecules of biopolymers and their various fragments. It ensures the formation of a certain connection between them (for example, hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions between charged functional groups).

In this case, complementary fragments and biopolymers are not linked by a covalent chemical bond, but by spatial matching to each other with the formation of weak bonds, which together have a large energy, which causes the formation of sufficiently stable complexes of molecules. In this case, the catalytic activity of substances depends on their complementarity with the intermediate product of catalytic reactions.

I must say that there is also a notion of structural correspondence between the two compounds. For example, in the intermolecular interaction of proteins, the principle of complementarity is the ability of ligands to approach each other a short distance, which provides a strong relationship between them.

The principle of complementarity in the genetic field concerns the process of replication (doubling) of DNA. Each chain of this structure can serve as a matrix that is used in the synthesis of complementary chains, which at the final stage allows obtaining exact copies of the original deoxyribonucleic acid. In this case, there is a clear correspondence between nitrogenous bases, when adenine combines with thymine, and guanine - only with cytosine.

Oligo- and polynucleotides of nitrogenous bases form the corresponding paired complexes - A-T (A-U in RNA) or G-C in the interaction of two chains of nucleic acids. This principle of complementarity plays a key role in ensuring the fundamental process of storage, as well as the transfer of genetic information. Thus, doubling of DNA during cell division, the process of DNA transcription into RNA that passes during protein synthesis, as well as the processes of DNA molecules repairing (restoring) after their damage are impossible without observing this principle.

With any violations in a strictly defined correspondence between the important components of different molecules in the body, pathologies arise that clinically manifest themselves as genetic diseases. They can be transmitted to descendants or be incompatible with life.

In addition, based on the principle of complementarity based important analysis - PCR (polymerase chain reaction). With the help of specific genetic detectors, DNA or RNA is detected by various pathogens of human infectious or viral diseases, which helps to prescribe treatment according to the etiology of the lesion.