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How does ethidium-bromide stain DNA?

In: Genetics, Biotechnology [Edit categories]

Answer:

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).

First answer by Jonb87. Last edit by Jonb87. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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Relevant answers:

What does ethidium bromide stain in a cell?
Ethidium bromide is a chemical that is able to intercalate (fit between the bases) between the bases of double stranded DNA strands
Will ethidium bromide stain double stranded DNA or single stranded DNA?
both, though DNA will preferentially form doublestranded DNA at room temperature. it can be quite hard to get single stranded DNA other than by heating your sample up to 95 degrees Celcius.
What is the function of ethidium bromide in DNA extraction?
EtBr interculates into DNA and when exposed to UV light, it causeses DNA to nick and therefore uncoil
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...
What is ethidium bromide?
Ethidium bromide, an intercalating agent commonly used as a nucleic acid stain in molecular biology laboratories for techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis