Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a metal chelating agent. The so-called chelating means that it can combine with some metal ions and make the bound metal ions inactive.

Using this characteristic of EDTA, there are two types of applications in experiments;

One type is reverse application, which inhibits certain reactions by interfering with the binding of metal ions.

Take an ion: In some reactions, the binding of metal ions is important. We combine EDTA with these metal ions to inhibit this reaction.

For example, blood coagulation requires the participation of calcium ions. We add EDTA to the blood to chelate calcium ions with EDTA, thus preventing blood coagulation. This is the principle of EDTA anticoagulation;

For another example, the preparation of decalcification solution in pathological staining also uses the chelation effect of EDTA. We know that if high-calcium tissue is not decalcified, it will be difficult to cut into complete tissue when slicing, so we need to decalcify before slicing.

There is also a type of forward application that promotes certain reactions by interfering with the binding of metal ions.

For example, add EDTA to trypsin digestion solution. If EDTA is not added, trypsin will bind to calcium and magnesium on the cell surface or in the culture medium, thereby inhibiting trypsin activity.

At this time, add a little bit of EDTA to allow EDTA to combine with those free calcium, magnesium and other divalent ions. At this time, a good condition is created for the occurrence of trypsin.

The most amazing thing about EDTA is its solubility. It is slightly soluble in water and appears white in water. At this time, add sodium hydroxide to adjust its pH value. As the pH gets higher and higher, the solution becomes It becomes clearer and clearer. When the pH is close to 8, it becomes completely clear. It is not afraid of acid but alkali.

EDTA has many wonderful uses. It can be seen that the substances in nature are very magical, but we have not noticed it.

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