What characteristic of proteins allows them to be visualized using Coomassie Blue dye?

The ability of proteins to be visualized using Coomassie Blue dye is primarily attributed to their capacity to bind specific dyes. Coomassie Blue interacts with the amino acids in proteins, particularly those with aromatic side chains, leading to a color change that can be detected visually. This characteristic is essential for the staining technique, where the dye binds non-covalently to the proteins, allowing for their visualization on polyacrylamide gels following electrophoresis.

While the molecular weight of proteins, their charge, and their absorbance at 280 nm are important properties in biochemistry, they do not directly account for the interaction with Coomassie Blue itself. The dye's specificity in binding to proteins enables researchers to quantify protein concentrations and analyze protein purity and identity through techniques such as gel electrophoresis. Thus, the ability of proteins to bind specific dyes is what allows for their effective visualization in laboratory settings.