ethidium

Noun

Meaning

ethidium (uncountable)

(organic chemistry) The cationic form of a polycyclic aromatic base, name 3,8-Diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium, whose bromide is used as a stain for nucleic acids

Examples

Applications An agarose gel with bands of DNA stained with ethidium bromide and visualized under UV light on a UV Transilluminator. Source: Internet

Digital image of 3 plasmid restriction digests run on a 1% w/v agarose gel, 3 volt/cm, stained with ethidium bromide. Source: Internet

Intercalated ethidium is in a hydrophobic environment when it is between the base pairs of the DNA, protected from quenching by water which is excluded from the local environment of the intercalated ethidium. Source: Internet

Intercalation between bases The planar structure of chemicals such as ethidium bromide and proflavine allows them to insert between bases in DNA. Source: Internet

Staining and visualization The gel with UV illumination: DNA stained with ethidium bromide appears as glowing orange bands. Source: Internet

The ethidium bromide may be added to the agarose solution before it gels, or the DNA gel may be stained later after electrophoresis. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms