T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Biological material is inherently of low contrast and provides little to see in a standard bright field microscope unless treated with a histological stain.
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are the most commonly used dyes in histology and pathology.
H&E stain components found in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and extracellular matrix.
The nuclei and cytoplasm of individual cells are easily identified. This reflects the complementary binding affinities of these dyes for many cellular components.
Which dye is postively charged (i.e., a basic dye)?
What are structures stained with basic dyes called? [+]
Basophilic
What cellular component(s) of a cell have a high affinity for basic dyes? [+]
Hematoxylin binds negatively-charged phosphate groups of nucleic acids (DNA / RNA)
Nuclei are intensely stained
Cytoplasm of cells are lightly stained
Which dye is negatively charged (i.e., an acidic dye)?
What are structures stained with acidic dyes called? [+]
Acidophilic (or eosinophilic)
What cellular component(s) of a cell have a high affinity for acidophilic dyes? [+]
Eosin binds to positively-charged amino groups of proteins (mostly side chains of lysine and arginine)
Nuclei are lightly stained
Cytoplasm of most cells is more intensely stained. Secretion granules can often be seen in the cytoplasm of secretory cells.
