A reagent is a substance that is used to cause a chemical reaction. Reagents are often usedin order to indicate the presence of another substance.
[technical]
reagent in British English
(riːˈeɪdʒənt)
noun
a substance for use in a chemical reaction, esp for use in chemical synthesis and analysis
reagent in American English
(riˈeɪdʒənt)
noun
Chemistry
a substance used to detect or measure another substance or to convert one substance into another by means of the reaction which it causes
Word origin
re- + agent
All related terms of 'reagent'
reagent strip
A reagent strip is a thin piece of paper impregnated with a reagent (= a substance that causes a chemical reaction ) to a specific substance, used in testing for that substance in a body of fluid .
analytical reagent
a chemical compound of a known high standard of purity
Grignard reagent
any of a class of organometallic reagents , having the general formula RMgX, where R is an organic group and X is a halogen atom : used in the synthesis of organic compounds
Schiff's reagent
a colorless solution of fuchsin and sulfurous acid used as a reagent to identify an aldehyde from a ketone from the shade of reddish purple produced, to stain DNA , etc.
Benedict's solution
a chemical solution used to detect the presence of glucose and other reducing sugars . Medically, it is used to test the urine of diabetics
Fehling's solution
a blue solution of copper sulfate , Rochelle salt, and sodium hydroxide , used to test for the presence of a sugar, aldehyde , etc.