COMPARISON OF RECOMBINATION AND COMPLEMENTATION

 
 
 
Recombination Complementation
What + test means Mutations are in different spots Mutations are in different genes (cistrons)
Does DNA change? Yes No
What Interacts? DNA Gene Products (Usually proteins)
Efficiency Low High
Must 2 Copies of DNA Remain? No Yes
What Does DNA look like? 
+ test      ----------X---------    A

------X-------------

     -----------|------X----    B

-----X----|------------
- test     ----------X---------     C

----------X--------- 

     -----------|------X----   D

-----------|---X-------

Another way to put all this: What are the Question(s)?

Recombination: If you put 2 (defective) copies together, can you ever get back function? Can you make a good copy of the DNA by cutting and splicing the two defective DNA's? Are the two defects in the same section of DNA?

Complementation: If you put 2 (defective) copies together, can you get back function without cutting and splicing the two DNA's? Do you get function back every time? Can gene products (not genes) co-operate to restore function? Are the two defects in the same functional unit (gene or cistron)?