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A model for biological specificity
Author(s) -
Avery John
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
international journal of quantum chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-461X
pISSN - 0020-7608
DOI - 10.1002/qua.560260522
Subject(s) - complementarity (molecular biology) , organelle , mechanism (biology) , substrate specificity , chemistry , steric effects , immune system , computational biology , biology , biophysics , biochemistry , enzyme , immunology , stereochemistry , physics , genetics , quantum mechanics
The phenomenon of biological specificity is described, and a history of discoveries related to the phenomenon is presented. Aspects of biological specificity described include the mechanism of the immune system, chemotherapy, enzyme‐substrate specificity, neurotransmitters, autoassembly of viruses, autoassembly of subcellular organelles, differentiation, and cellular recognition. A model for biological specificity involving both steric and electrostatic complementarity is presented and the role of structured water and hydrophobic forces is also discussed.