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Ethidium bromide is a chemical that is able to intercalate (fit between the bases) between the bases of double stranded DNA strands

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How does ethidium-bromide stain DNA?

Ethidium bromide binds with DNA and slips in between its hydrophobic base pairs and stretches the DNA fragment, removing water molecules from the ethidium cation. The result of this dehydrogenation is an increase in fluorescence of the ethidium (as well as the cell).


Why ethidium bromide is carcinogenic?

The purpose of ethidium bromide is as an intercalating agent commonly used as a fluorescent tag (nucleic acid stain) in molecular biology laboratories for techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis. When exposed to ultraviolet light, it will fluoresce with an orange color, intensifying almost 20-fold after binding to DNA. Hence it is useful in visualizing DNA. Unfortunately, ethidium bromide does not distinguish between what DNA it binds to, whether it be ours or our sample's. Hence ethidium bromide is a mutagen, suspected carcinogen and at high concentrations is irritating to the eyes, skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Ethidium bromide acts as a mutagen because it intercalates into double stranded DNA, thereby deforming the molecule. This is believed to block or trip biological processes occurring on DNA, like DNA replication and transcription.


What is the purpose of ethidium bromide?

Ethidium bromide is an intercalating agent that attaches itself between the helix of a DNA. Because the ethidium molecule lights up when illuminated by an ultraviolet light, it is used often in biochemistry laboratories so that fragment of DNA that has been separated by gel can be visualized.


What is the role of Cscl and ethidium bromide in plasmid purification?

The CsCl forms a gradient and the molecules migrate according to their density until they float at their individual isopycnic points (the point in the gradient that equals the buoyant density of the molecule). However, plasmid DNA and contaminating chromosome have about the same density and cannot be separated easily. This is rectified, however, by the addition of ethidium bromide. Density is a function of AT/GC ratio, but it is also a function of conformation. For supercoiled DNA, there is more DNA per unit volume than for relaxed DNA. Intercalation of ethidium bromide into DNA causes the helix to unwind (negative supercoiling) and become more relaxed. However, negative supercoiling only relaxes the DNA to a point. Further unwinding induces supercoiling in the opposite direction. When the DNA is circular and the ends are connected, the plasmid "kinks up" into a very tight knot. Thus, ethidium bromide causes the plasmid density to be increased.


If ethidium bromide have a higher melting point than 120 C 260 - 262 C could it be autoclaved with the medium you are using without being degarded or its?

Although theoretically the menting point of entidium bromide is high, it is generally added to media/gel after boiling and media or gel and the media or gel is still in the molten liquid state

Related Questions

How does ethidium-bromide stain DNA?

Ethidium bromide binds with DNA and slips in between its hydrophobic base pairs and stretches the DNA fragment, removing water molecules from the ethidium cation. The result of this dehydrogenation is an increase in fluorescence of the ethidium (as well as the cell).


What are the dangers of ethidium bromide?

Studies are inconclusive that ethidium bromide, an inhibitor for cell growth, is not shown to be toxic in humans, but the metabolites may exude mutagenic characteristics.


Why ethidium bromide is carcinogenic?

The purpose of ethidium bromide is as an intercalating agent commonly used as a fluorescent tag (nucleic acid stain) in molecular biology laboratories for techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis. When exposed to ultraviolet light, it will fluoresce with an orange color, intensifying almost 20-fold after binding to DNA. Hence it is useful in visualizing DNA. Unfortunately, ethidium bromide does not distinguish between what DNA it binds to, whether it be ours or our sample's. Hence ethidium bromide is a mutagen, suspected carcinogen and at high concentrations is irritating to the eyes, skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Ethidium bromide acts as a mutagen because it intercalates into double stranded DNA, thereby deforming the molecule. This is believed to block or trip biological processes occurring on DNA, like DNA replication and transcription.


How do you stain agarose gels?

To stain agarose gels, you can use a DNA stain such as ethidium bromide or safer alternatives like SYBR Safe. After electrophoresis, soak the gel in the staining solution for a short period, then destain or visualize the gel under UV light. Make sure to handle the staining reagents carefully and follow proper disposal procedures.


Why can ethidium bromide be dangerous?

Ethidium bromide is a mutagen that can cause changes in DNA, potentially leading to harmful mutations. It is also a possible carcinogen and can be harmful if handled improperly, such as through direct skin contact or inhaling its fumes. Proper safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear and working in a well-ventilated area, should always be taken when using ethidium bromide.


What is the role of Ethidium bromide in plasmid isolation?

Ethidium bromide is an intercalator, meaning it inserts itself between the base pairs of DNA. Linear DNA pieces like the genomic DNA fragments bind more ethidium bromide than the circular plasmid DNA. The solution is placed into a tube that is spun extremely fast (roughly 50,000 revolutions per minute) in an ultracentrifuge for about a day. During this time the cesium chloride forms a gradient of lower density at the top of the tube and higher density at the bottom. The genomic and plasmid DNA form tight bands in this gradient. Since the plasmid DNA binds less ethidium bromide it is more dense and is located lower in the tube than the genomic DNA. RNA forms a separate band at the bottom of the tube. These three bands can be visualized by UV light.


What has the author S Chaudhuri written?

S. Chaudhuri has written: 'Radiation studies on ethidium bromide'


Why cybersafe replaced ethidium bromide?

Because is it less hazardous while still having good results


Why dont you use ethidium bromide staining for non denaturing PAGE gels?

Ethidium bromide is commonly used for staining native PAGE gels where proteins are kept in their native state. However, ethidium bromide is typically used for staining DNA in denaturing PAGE gels as it binds to DNA molecules specifically, providing better visualization compared to proteins in native gels. This is why alternative stains such as Coomassie blue or silver staining are typically used for proteins in non-denaturing PAGE gels.


What is the purpose of ethidium bromide?

Ethidium bromide is an intercalating agent that attaches itself between the helix of a DNA. Because the ethidium molecule lights up when illuminated by an ultraviolet light, it is used often in biochemistry laboratories so that fragment of DNA that has been separated by gel can be visualized.


What is the role of Cscl and ethidium bromide in plasmid purification?

The CsCl forms a gradient and the molecules migrate according to their density until they float at their individual isopycnic points (the point in the gradient that equals the buoyant density of the molecule). However, plasmid DNA and contaminating chromosome have about the same density and cannot be separated easily. This is rectified, however, by the addition of ethidium bromide. Density is a function of AT/GC ratio, but it is also a function of conformation. For supercoiled DNA, there is more DNA per unit volume than for relaxed DNA. Intercalation of ethidium bromide into DNA causes the helix to unwind (negative supercoiling) and become more relaxed. However, negative supercoiling only relaxes the DNA to a point. Further unwinding induces supercoiling in the opposite direction. When the DNA is circular and the ends are connected, the plasmid "kinks up" into a very tight knot. Thus, ethidium bromide causes the plasmid density to be increased.


Why ethidium bromide gives orange color in UV light?

Due to fluorescence, it absorbs UV and emits Orange light.. It is due to a phenyl group.. EtBr fluoresces even when not bound to DNA but its fluorescence increases 20 times when in bound state as hydrophobic environment between base pairs force dissociation of water bound to ethidium cation. Note: Water quenches fluorescence highly.