Biomolecules Laboratory (CHEM403L) - Protein Assay by Bradford Method

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Biomolecules Laboratory (CHEM403L) lecture notes on the Bradford Method for protein quantification.

Bradford Assay

A method for quantifying protein concentration based on the binding of Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye to proteins.

Coomassie Brilliant Blue

A dye used in the Bradford Assay that changes color depending on its binding state with proteins.

Spectrophotometer

An instrument used to measure the absorbance of light by a sample at specific wavelengths.

Beer-Lambert Law

A principle stating that the absorbance of light is directly proportional to the concentration of the absorbing species in a solution.

Absorbance (A)

A measurement of the quantity of light absorbed by a sample, proportional to its concentration and the path length.

Calibration Curve

A graph showing the relationship between known concentrations of a substance and their absorbance readings, used to determine unknown concentrations.

Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)

A standard protein used in assays due to its stability and consistent properties, often used for calibration in protein quantification.

Wavelength of 595 nm

The wavelength used in the Bradford Assay for measuring the absorbance of the dye-protein complex.

Protein Quantification

The process of determining the concentration of proteins in a sample.

Micropipette

A laboratory tool used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquids accurately.

Standard Solution

A solution with a known concentration used as a reference to determine the concentration of unknown samples.

Absorbance at 595 nm

The specific absorbance measurement used in the Bradford Assay corresponding to protein-bound Coomassie dye.

Cationic Form

The form of Coomassie dye that appears red in acidic solutions, which shifts to blue in the presence of protein.

Linear Regression

A statistical method used to model the relationship between variables, often used to analyze calibration data in assays.

Reagent Blank

A control sample containing all the components of the assay except the analyte, used to correct absorbance readings.

Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

The range of all types of radiation, including visible light, used in spectroscopy to study matter.

Colorimetric Method

An analytical method that determines the concentration of colored compounds in a solution by measuring absorbance.