Complementarity is the property of two structures to correspond to each other in a special way.
The principle of complementarity is applied in various fields 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 education. In the field of composers' creativity, it 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 occur.
The principle of complementarity in biology relates to the correspondence of biopolymer molecules and their various fragments. It provides 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 correspondence to each other with the formation of weak bonds, which in total have high energy, which leads to 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 the concept of structural correspondence of two compounds. So, for example, in the intermolecular interaction of proteins, the principle of complementarity is the ability of ligands to approach each other at close distances, which ensures a strong relationship between them.
The principle of complementarity in the genetic field concerns the process of DNA replication (doubling). Each chain of this structure can serve as a matrix, which is used in the synthesis of complementary chains, which at the final stage allows you to get exact copies of the original deoxyribonucleic acid. At the same time, there is a clear correspondence between nitrogenous bases, when adenine combines with thymine, and guanine only with cytosine.
The oligo and polynucleotides of nitrogenous bases form the corresponding paired complexes - AT (AU in RNA) or GC during the interaction of two
nucleic acid chains
. This principle of complementarity plays a key role in ensuring the fundamental storage process, as well as the transfer of genetic information. So, the
doubling of DNA during cell division, the process of transcription of DNA into RNA, which takes place during protein synthesis, as well as the processes of repair (restoration) of DNA molecules after their damage are impossible without observing this principle.
For any violations in a strictly defined correspondence between the important components of various molecules in the body, pathologies arise that are clinically manifested by genetic diseases. They can be transmitted to descendants or be incompatible with life.
In addition, on the basis of the principle of complementarity, an important analysis is based - PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Using specific genetic detectors, DNA or RNA of various pathogens of human infectious or viral diseases is detected, which helps to prescribe treatment according to the etiology of the lesion.