How Do You Spell ETHIDIUM?

Pronunciation: [iːθˈɪdi͡əm] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the chemical compound "Ethidium" can be a bit tricky due to its unique phonetic structure. The IPA phonetic transcription for the word is /ɛθɪdiəm/, which can make it easier to understand the spelling. The first syllable starts with the open-mid front unrounded vowel sound represented by the letter "e," followed by the voiceless dental fricative sound "θ" in the second syllable. The "i" in the third syllable is pronounced with the short "i" sound, while the final syllable ends with the schwa sound represented by the letter "ə."

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
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ETHIDIUM Meaning and Definition

  1. Ethidium is a fluorescent intercalating dye that is commonly used in molecular biology and genetic research. It is a derivative of phenanthridine and is known for its ability to bind to the DNA double helix.

    When ethidium is added to a solution containing DNA, it intercalates itself between the DNA base pairs due to its flat, planar structure and positive charge. This intercalation disrupts the normal structure of the DNA molecule, causing a slight unwinding of the double helix. As a result, the fluorescence of ethidium increases significantly when it binds to DNA.

    Ethidium is widely used as a nucleic acid stain in techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy. In gel electrophoresis, ethidium is added to the agarose gel before it is poured into the gel tray. As DNA fragments migrate through the gel, they can be visualized under ultraviolet (UV) light, as the ethidium-bound DNA fluoresces a deep orange-red color. This allows researchers to determine the size and quantity of DNA fragments present in the sample.

    Furthermore, ethidium is also employed in techniques such as DNA sequencing, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and DNA fingerprinting, as it enables the visualization and analysis of DNA molecules.

    However, it is important to note that ethidium is a known mutagen and potential carcinogen, and proper safety precautions should be followed when working with this compound.

Common Misspellings for ETHIDIUM

Etymology of ETHIDIUM

The word "Ethidium" is derived from "ethidium bromide", which is a fluorescent dye commonly used in molecular biology and genetic research. The term "ethidium" comes from the combination of "ethyl" and "idium". "Ethyl" refers to the presence of an ethyl group (CH3CH2-) in the chemical structure of ethidium bromide, while "idium" is a suffix used in chemistry to represent a specific element or compound. Therefore, the word "ethidium" can be understood as representing the ethyl-containing compound.

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Correct spelling for Ethidium
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