How Do You Spell FLUORESCEIN ISOTHIOCYANATE?

1. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a fluorescent dye commonly used in molecular biology and immunology to label and detect biological molecules. It belongs to a class of organic compound called isothiocyanate, which contains an isothiocyanate group (-N=C=S) attached to another molecule or structure.

   FITC is a derivative of fluorescein, a synthetic organic compound that exhibits bright green fluorescence when excited by a specific wavelength of light. FITC is conjugated with antibodies, proteins, or other biomolecules to create fluorescent probes or markers for visualizing or measuring specific molecules within a biological system.

   When FITC-labeled molecules are added to a sample, such as a biological tissue or cell suspension, they can bind to their specific target molecules through specific antibody-antigen interactions or other molecular recognition mechanisms. The resulting complex then emits a fluorescent green light when excited by an appropriate light source, such as a laser or specific wavelength filter, allowing researchers to visualize and quantify the presence or distribution of the target molecule in the sample.

   The fluorescence emitted by FITC is highly stable and well-suited for many fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry applications. Its versatility, brightness, and compatibility with a variety of biological samples make FITC a widely used and valuable tool in various research and diagnostic fields, including immunology, cell biology, and molecular genetics.

Common Misspellings for FLUORESCEIN ISOTHIOCYANATE

The word "Fluorescein Isothiocyanate" has its etymology rooted in the combination of several terms:

1. Fluorescein: The term "fluorescein" comes from the Latin word "fluorescere", meaning "to flow", combined with the Latin suffix "-escein", denoting a dye formation. Fluorescein is a synthetic organic compound that exhibits fluorescence under ultraviolet or blue light.

2. Isothiocyanate: The term "isothiocyanate" combines the prefix "iso-" (meaning "equal" or "same") with the words "thio" (indicating the presence of a sulfur atom) and "cyanate" (a salt or ester of cyanic acid). Isothiocyanates are chemical compounds that contain the N=C=S functional group.