Dictionary > Giemsa stain

Giemsa stain

Definition
noun
A Romanovsky type of stain named after German chemist and bacteriologist Gustav Giemsa, and is often used in histopathological diagnosis and cytogenetics
Supplement
Giemsa is a dye consisting of methylene blue-eosin and methylene blue. It is named after Gustav Giemsa, a German chemist and bacteriologist. This dye solution is used in histopathologic diagnosis. It is used in staining blood films. Because of the basic and acidic dyes it contains it is favored in differentiating acid and basic granules in granulocyte. It is also essential in determining the presence of negri bodies, Tunga species, spirochetes and other parasitic protozoans in blood. It can also stain Histoplasma (a fungus) and Chlamydia (a bacterium).
Giemsa stain is also used in chromosome banding. Chromosome banding is a cytogenetics method used for staining chromosomes in order to identify chromosomal aberrations. And chromosome banding that employs Giemsa after hydrolyzing the cytologic preparation in hot hydrochloric acid is referred to as Giemsa banding (or G banding). The darkly stained bands in the chromosome are an indication of high adenine-thymine bonds since the stain attaches itself to these regions.
Giemsa is also used in glycerol-methanol buffer solution.
Word origin: named after German chemist and bacteriologist Gustav Giemsa
See also:

  • Giemsa gustav
  • Romanovsky type stain
  • Telomeric r-banding stain
  • Alder bodies
  • Banding pattern

Related term(s):

  • Giemsa chromosome banding stain
  • Giemsa banding


  • You will also like...

    Physiological Homeostasis
    Physiological Homeostasis

    Homeostasis is essential to maintain conditions within the tolerable limits. Otherwise, the body will fail to function p..

    Chromosome Mutations
    Chromosome Mutations

    Mutations can also influence the phenotype of an organism. This tutorial looks at the effects of chromosomal mutations, ..

    An artist's depiction of the origin of amphibians
    Amphibians & Early Reptiles

    Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of ..

    New Zealand Flora & Fauna
    Ecology & Biodiversity: New Zealand Flora & Fauna

    New Zealand is known for its unique biodiversity, caused by its remarkable geography and geologic history. Breaking away..

    Biological Cell Defense
    Biological Cell Defense

    Organisms employ different strategies to boost its defenses against antigens. Humans have an immune system to combat pat..

    Digestion and Absorption of Food
    Digestion and Absorption of Food

    The gastrointestinal system breaks down particles of ingested food into molecular forms by enzymes through digestion and..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics