Acid fuchsin
Definition
Acid fuchsin is a red dye used in various staining techniques to highlight components of cells and tissues under a microscope. It is commonly used to stain collagen, cytoplasm, and muscle fibers.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Acid fuchsin is part of the acid-fast staining procedure, which helps differentiate Mycobacterium species from other bacteria.
- It is often used in Masson's trichrome stain, where it stains muscle fibers red.
- Acid fuchsin binds specifically to acidic tissue components due to its negative charge.
- In the context of microbiology, it can be used to visualize bacterial structures and fungal elements.
- The dye is also utilized in histology for highlighting connective tissues.
Review Questions
- What types of cellular components does acid fuchsin commonly stain?
- How does acid fuchsin function in the acid-fast staining procedure?
- In what type of staining technique is acid fuchsin used to differentiate muscle fibers?
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Related terms
Gram Stain: A common staining method that distinguishes between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria based on cell wall composition.
Ziehl-Neelsen Stain: A specific type of acid-fast stain used primarily for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Masson's Trichrome Stain: A three-color staining protocol using different dyes to distinguish among collagen fibers, muscle tissue, and cytoplasm.
