If placed in a solution with a pH below their isoelectric point, cytoplasmic proteins will be which color property?

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Multiple Choice

If placed in a solution with a pH below their isoelectric point, cytoplasmic proteins will be which color property?

Explanation:
The main idea is how charge affects dye binding. When the surrounding pH is below a protein’s isoelectric point, the protein becomes positively charged because amino groups are protonated. Acidic dyes, like eosin, are negatively charged and bind to these positive sites, so cytoplasmic proteins stain acidophilic (pink/red) in this environment. If the pH were above the pI, the proteins would carry a negative charge and would prefer basic dyes, giving basophilic (blue/purple) staining instead.

The main idea is how charge affects dye binding. When the surrounding pH is below a protein’s isoelectric point, the protein becomes positively charged because amino groups are protonated. Acidic dyes, like eosin, are negatively charged and bind to these positive sites, so cytoplasmic proteins stain acidophilic (pink/red) in this environment. If the pH were above the pI, the proteins would carry a negative charge and would prefer basic dyes, giving basophilic (blue/purple) staining instead.

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