valence, valency

(biology) a relative capacity to unite or react or interact as with antigens or a biological substrate

• power, powerfulness — possession of controlling influence

• univalent — (genetics) used of a chromosome that is not paired or united with its homologous chromosome during synapsis
• bivalent, double — (genetics) used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis
• multivalent — (genetics) used of the association of three or more homologous chromosomes during the first division of meiosis
• monovalent — (immunology) containing only one kind of antibody
• polyvalent — (immunology) containing several antibodies each capable of counteracting a specific antigen