quenching
1. The process of extinguishing, removing, or diminishing a physical property such as heat or light; e.g., the cooling of a hot metal rapidly by plunging it into water or oil.
2. In beta liquid scintillation counting, the shifting of the energy spectrum from a true to a lower energy; it is caused by a variety of interfering materials in the counting solution, including foreign chemicals and colouring agents.
3. The process of stopping a chemical or enzymatic reaction.
Origin: M. E. Quenchen, fr. O.E. Acwencan
fluorescence quenching, a technique used in investigations dealing with binding of antigens (haptens) by purified antibodies, applicable in cases in which the bound antigen (hapten) absorbs (quenches) light emitted during fluorescence of protein (antibody) excited by ultraviolet light.
Dictionary > Quenching
You will also like...
Primitive Animals
Life, as we know it today, is presumed to have started in the sea and many of them were likely eukaryotic animal-like or..
Birth Control and Contraception
Different pregnancy and birth control and contraception strategies are described. Read this tutorial to learn each of th..
Vascular Plants: Ferns and Relatives
Ferns and their relatives are vascular plants, meaning they have xylem and phloem tissues. Because of the presence of va..
Ecology & Biodiversity: New Zealand Flora & Fauna
New Zealand is known for its unique biodiversity, caused by its remarkable geography and geologic history. Breaking away..
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
This tutorial deals with the abiotic factors of the freshwater environment that determine what sort of life would be sui..
Neural Control Mechanisms
Neurons generate electric signals that they pass along to the other neurons or target tissues. In this tutorial, you wil..