A stain and associated protocol used to accentuate visually the difference between bands and interbands on metaphase chromosomes (see Chapter 5).

Giemsa is a complex of stains specific for the phosphate groups of DNA. Used in Giemsa banding (or G-banding) to stain chromosomes and often used to create a karyotype. It is used to identify chromosomal aberrations such as translocations and interchanges.