FEULGEN REAGENT Meaning and
Definition
-
Feulgen reagent is a chemical compound used in biological staining techniques to specifically identify and visualize DNA molecules. It is composed of a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and p-phenylenediamine, dissolved in ethanol. The reagent is named after the German chemist Robert Feulgen, who developed it in the early 20th century.
Feulgen reagent is commonly employed in various cytological and histological applications, notably in the Feulgen reaction, that allows for the specific staining of DNA within cells or tissue sections. This technique is particularly useful to study the amount and distribution of DNA in nuclei and chromosomes, enabling the analysis of genetic material in different biological samples.
The Feulgen reaction works by breaking the DNA molecules into individual strands using the hydrochloric acid present in the reagent. The exposed aldehyde groups of the DNA form a Schiff base with the p-phenylenediamine, resulting in a colored precipitate that can be observed under a microscope. This staining technique is characterized by its selectivity for DNA, as it does not detect other nucleic acids such as RNA or proteins.
Feulgen reagent has become an essential tool in genetics, cytology, and histology research, allowing scientists to study the structure, organization, and behavior of DNA in diverse biological systems. Its application has significantly contributed to advancements in genetics, cell biology, and various branches of biomedical research.
Common Misspellings for FEULGEN REAGENT
- deulgen reagent
- ceulgen reagent
- veulgen reagent
- geulgen reagent
- teulgen reagent
- reulgen reagent
- fwulgen reagent
- fsulgen reagent
- fdulgen reagent
- frulgen reagent
- f4ulgen reagent
- f3ulgen reagent
- feylgen reagent
- fehlgen reagent
- fejlgen reagent
- feilgen reagent
- fe8lgen reagent
- fe7lgen reagent
- feukgen reagent
- feupgen reagent
Etymology of FEULGEN REAGENT
The word "Feulgen reagent" has its etymology derived from the names of the scientists Friedrich Feulgen and his wife, Hilde Mangold Feulgen.
Friedrich Feulgen was a German biochemist and histologist who is known for developing several staining methods to visualize cellular structures. In 1914, Feulgen created a staining reagent called the "Feulgen reagent" that selectively stains DNA. This reagent is commonly used in cytology and histology to identify the presence and location of DNA in cells.
Thus, the term "Feulgen reagent" is named after its creator, Friedrich Feulgen.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
