Fluorogen

Definition

A fluorogen is a molecule that becomes fluorescent upon binding with another specific molecule or undergoing a chemical reaction. Fluorogens are commonly used in biological assays to detect the presence of target substances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fluorogens are essential in immunoassays like EIAs and ELISAs for detecting specific antigens or antibodies.
2. In fluorescent antibody techniques, fluorogens help visualize the binding of antibodies to their antigens under a fluorescence microscope.
3. Fluorogens require activation by light of a specific wavelength to emit fluorescence.
4. The intensity of the fluorescence emitted by fluorogens is proportional to the amount of target substance present in the sample.
5. Commonly used fluorogens include fluorescein, rhodamine, and phycoerythrin.

Review Questions

Related terms

Antigen:

A substance that induces an immune response, often targeted by antibodies.

Antibody:

A protein produced by the immune system that binds specifically to an antigen.

Fluorescence Microscope: A type of microscope used to view samples that fluoresce when exposed to certain wavelengths of light.