Fluorocromo

Fluorocromo is a term used in microscopy and related biological imaging techniques to describe a substance that absorbs light at one wavelength and then re-emits light at a longer wavelength. This phenomenon is known as fluorescence. Fluorocromos, also called fluorescent dyes or fluorophores, are essential tools for visualizing cellular structures, molecules, and processes that would otherwise be invisible. They work by binding to specific targets within a specimen, such as DNA, proteins, or organelles. When excited by a light source of a particular wavelength (excitation wavelength), the fluorocromo molecule absorbs this energy and transitions to a higher energy state. As it returns to its ground state, it releases the excess energy as light at a longer wavelength (emission wavelength). This emitted light is then detected by a microscope's detector. Different fluorocromos have distinct excitation and emission spectra, allowing researchers to use multiple fluorocromos simultaneously to label different structures within the same sample. This multicolor labeling provides detailed spatial and functional information. Common applications include immunofluorescence, where antibodies labeled with fluorocromos are used to detect specific proteins, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which uses fluorescent probes to locate specific DNA sequences. The choice of fluorocromo depends on factors such as the type of biological sample, the excitation light source available, and the desired signal-to-noise ratio.