PHOTOSENSITIZER Meaning and
Definition
-
A photosensitizer refers to a substance, typically a chemical compound, that possesses the ability to generate reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light. It is commonly employed in medicine and photodynamic therapy, a method that utilizes light to generate reactive species to cause localized cell damage or destruction.
Photosensitizers work by absorbing light energy and then transferring it to surrounding molecules, such as oxygen or biomolecules, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS generated, such as singlet oxygen, superoxide radical, or hydroxyl radical, are highly reactive and possess the ability to cause oxidative damage to nearby biological structures, such as DNA, lipids, or proteins.
In medical applications, photosensitizers are utilized in photodynamic therapy to selectively destroy cancer cells or other abnormal tissues. The photosensitizer is administered to the patient either topically or systemically, depending on the targeted area, and allowed to accumulate within the desired tissue. Once the photosensitizer sufficiently accumulates, light of an appropriate wavelength is used to activate it, resulting in the generation of ROS that selectively damage the abnormal cells.
Photosensitizers have also been extensively investigated and utilized in various areas of research, including fluorescence imaging, solar energy conversion, and chemical synthesis. The development of new photosensitizer molecules with improved efficiency and selectivity is an active area of scientific inquiry, aiming to enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapies and progress the field of light-driven chemistry.
Common Misspellings for PHOTOSENSITIZER
- ohotosensitizer
- lhotosensitizer
- 0hotosensitizer
- pgotosensitizer
- pbotosensitizer
- pnotosensitizer
- pjotosensitizer
- puotosensitizer
- pyotosensitizer
- phitosensitizer
- phktosensitizer
- phltosensitizer
- phptosensitizer
- ph0tosensitizer
- ph9tosensitizer
- phorosensitizer
- phofosensitizer
- phogosensitizer
- phoyosensitizer
- pho6osensitizer
Etymology of PHOTOSENSITIZER
The word "photosensitizer" is derived from the combination of two components: "photo-" and "-sensitizer".
- The prefix "photo-" comes from the Greek word "phos", meaning light. It is commonly used in scientific terms related to light or photography.
- The suffix "-sensitizer" originates from the verb "sensitize", meaning to make something sensitive or responsive. It is often used in chemistry and scientific contexts to refer to a substance or agent that sensitizes or enhances a particular effect.
Therefore, the term "photosensitizer" refers to a chemical substance or agent that becomes sensitive or responsive to light, typically in the context of a chemical reaction or biological process.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
