Reagent

Reagent

A Reagent is a substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction, or added to test if a reaction occurs. The terms reactant and reagent are often used interchangeably—however, a reagent is more specifically a substance consumed in a chemical reaction. Solvents, though involved in the reaction, are usually not called reactants. Similarly, catalysts are not consumed by the reaction, so they are not reagents. In biochemistry and molecular biology, a reagent is a chemical used to perform a laboratory experiment.

Types of Reagents

Reagents may be compounds or mixtures. In organic chemistry, reagents are often simple compounds or mixtures. Some reagents are specific for a particular chemical reaction. For example, Fehling's reagent is used to test for reducing sugars. Other reagents, such as catalysts, are not consumed by a reaction, so they may be reused.

Uses of Reagents

Reagents are used in many areas of science, including chemistry, biology, and medicine. In medicine, reagents are used in diagnostic tests to detect the presence of certain substances in the body. In chemistry, reagents are used to cause chemical reactions. In biology, reagents are used in experiments to study the function of genes and proteins.

Safety and Handling

Reagents can be hazardous and should be handled with care. They should be stored in appropriate containers and used in a controlled environment. Safety data sheets should be consulted for information on the hazards and safe handling of specific reagents.

See Also

• Chemical reaction
• Catalyst
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology

Reagent Resources
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