Common Example of Biological Stains

The following are some of the common examples of biological stains:

• Acridine Orange: Acridine Orange is used in fluorescence microscopy for vital staining of live cells. It is a fluorescent dye composed of acridine and phenazine moieties. It emits orange fluoroscence when bound to DNA, making it useful for nucleic acid staining. Acridine Orange is used in fluorescence microscopy for vital staining of live cells.
• Eosin: Eosin is an acidic dye composed of brominated fluorescein. Eosin stains cytoplasm and extracellular structures in tissues, imparting a pink or red color. It is often used as a counterstain in combination with hematoxylin in H & E staining.
• Hematoxylin: Hematoxylin is a basic dye derived from the heartwood of certain trees and undergoes oxidation to form hematein. Hematoxylin stains nuclei blue or purple.
• Malachite Green: Malachite Green is a synthetic dye belonging to the triarylmethane class. Malachite green is used in staining bacterial endospore.
• Methylene Blue: Methylene Blue is a basic thiazine dye. It stains acidic structures in cells, such as nucleic acids.

Also Read:

• Gram Staining – Principle, Procedure, Purpose and Examples
• Difference Between Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Staining in biology is a technique to apply chemical substances or dyes to a biological specimen to enhance the visibility and contrast of its cellular constituents under the microscope. Staining is classified into two types. They are vital and non-vital. Vital staining involves the application of non-toxic water-soluble stains to the living specimen to study them live. Whereas, non-vital staining is typical for dead tissues. Some common examples of stains include methylene blue, orcein, carmine, etc.