Glossary Term
Affinity
The strength of noncovalent chemical binding between two substances as measured by the dissociation constant of the complex.
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Glossary Term
The strength of noncovalent chemical binding between two substances as measured by the dissociation constant of the complex.
Glossary Term
A volatile liquid prepared by fermentation of certain carbohydrates. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, a diuretic, and a disinfectant. Although the exact mechanism of CNS depression is unknown, alcohol may act by inhibiting the opening of calcium channels, mediated by the binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) to GABA-A receptors, or through inhibitory actions at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors. Alcohol inhibits the production of antidiuretic hormone, thereby producing diuresis that may lead to dehydration. This agent kills organisms by denaturing their proteins.
Glossary Term
Strength of binding, usually of a small molecule with multiple binding sites by a larger, particularly the binding of a complex antigen by an antibody.
Glossary Term
An enzymatic pre-treatment in nucleic-acid extraction that degrades proteins and nucleases, releasing nucleic acids from clinical material before binding, wash, and elution steps.
Glossary Term
A genetic process in which single-stranded RNA with base sequence complementary to a region of plus strand DNA is synthesized by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Following the binding of RNA polymerase on DNA promoter regions, the RNA product is synthesized in a 5' to 3' direction, elongating RNA along the DNA strand as the polymerase proceeds, accompanied by unwinding and rewinding of the DNA template.