Fluorometry is a scientific term used to describe the measurement of light emitted by a substance after it is exposed to light of a particular wavelength. The word is spelled /flʊəˈrɒmɪtri/ in IPA phonetic transcription, which represents the sounds of the word. The first syllable is pronounced as "flu" with a schwa sound in the second vowel. The next syllable is pronounced as "or" with a strong "r" sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced as "metri" with a short "i" sound.
Fluorometry is a scientific technique and a branch of spectroscopy that involves the measurement of fluorescence. Fluorometry is used to analyze and quantify the emission of light by certain substances known as fluorophores. These fluorophores can either be naturally occurring or artificially introduced into a sample.
In the process of fluorometry, the sample is exposed to a specific wavelength of light, known as the excitation wavelength, which causes the fluorophores to absorb the energy from the incident light. This energy is then re-emitted as light at a longer wavelength, known as the emission wavelength, which is characteristic of the specific fluorophore being analyzed. The emitted light is detected and measured using a fluorometer, a device specifically designed for this purpose.
Fluorometry has wide-ranging applications in various scientific fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, environmental science, and clinical diagnostics. It is particularly useful in detecting and quantifying the presence of specific molecules, such as DNA, proteins, enzymes, and antibodies. It provides valuable insights into various biological processes and is often used in drug discovery, drug screening, and disease diagnosis.
By measuring and analyzing the fluorescence emitted by fluorophores, fluorometry allows scientists to study the structure, dynamics, and interactions of molecules and gain a deeper understanding of their properties. It is a powerful tool for quantitative analysis, offering high sensitivity and precision. Fluorometry has revolutionized many areas of scientific research and continues to be an essential technique in modern laboratories.
The word "fluorometry" is derived from two roots: "fluoro-" and "-metry".
The first part, "fluoro-", comes from the Latin word "fluor" which means "flow" or "to flow". In the context of fluorometry, it refers to the emission of light or radiant energy by a substance when exposed to specific wavelengths of light.
The second part, "-metry", is a suffix derived from the Greek word "metron" which means "measure" or "measurement". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate the process of measuring or the study of measurement.
Therefore, "fluorometry" can be understood as the measurement or study of the emission of light or radiant energy by a substance, often used to analyze and quantify fluorescent properties for scientific or analytical purposes.