Ethidium Bromide At Biology Glossary

What is it? A fluorescent chemical that intercalates between base pairs in a doublestranded DNA molecule. Commonly used to detect DNA following gel electrophoresis. Ethidium bromide intercalates between the stacked bases of DNA and RNA. When excited by UV light between 254 nm (short wave) and 366 nm (long wave) it emits fluorescent light at 590 nm. Due to the decreased rotation possible when it is intercalated, the DNA-ethidium bromide complex produces about 50 times more fluorescence than free ethidium bromide. When ethidium bromide stained gels are photographed on a UV transilluminator a UV filter is required to screen out the background UV from the transilluminator. Ethidium bromide is a known carcinogen.

Bio Definition Added By: Rachel

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