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

1. Acid fuchsin is part of the acid-fast staining procedure, which helps differentiate Mycobacterium species from other bacteria.
2. It is often used in Masson's trichrome stain, where it stains muscle fibers red.
3. Acid fuchsin binds specifically to acidic tissue components due to its negative charge.
4. In the context of microbiology, it can be used to visualize bacterial structures and fungal elements.
5. The dye is also utilized in histology for highlighting connective tissues.

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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.