Fluorescein

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Fluorescein

Fluorescein (pronounced: /flʊəˈriːsiːn/) is a synthetic organic compound available as a dark orange/red powder slightly soluble in water and alcohol. It is widely used as a fluorescent tracer for many applications.

Etymology

The term "Fluorescein" is derived from "fluorescence", a term coined by Sir George Gabriel Stokes in 1852 to describe the glow observed when certain substances are exposed to ultraviolet light. The suffix "-in" is commonly used in the nomenclature of chemical substances.

Usage

Fluorescein is used in many areas due to its intense fluorescence in alkaline solution. It is used in ophthalmology to diagnose corneal abrasions, ulcers and herpetic corneal infections. It is also used in biology as a marker to observe cellular processes, including apoptotic cells in tissue culture. In chemistry, it is used as a tracer dye within water to determine leaks. Additionally, it is used in the oil industry for tracing and to identify different strains of oil.

Related Terms

  • Fluorescence: The emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation.
  • Ophthalmology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
  • Biology: The natural science that studies life and living organisms.
  • Chemistry: The branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed.
  • Tissue Culture: The growth of tissues or cells separate from the organism.

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