Acidic dye

Definition

Acidic dye is a type of stain that carries a negative charge and binds to positively charged cell structures. It is commonly used in staining procedures to contrast cellular components under a microscope.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Acidic dyes are negatively charged and bind to positively charged molecules, such as proteins.
2. Common examples of acidic dyes include eosin, acid fuchsin, and Congo red.
3. They are often used in combination with basic dyes to provide differential staining.
4. In microbiology, acidic dyes are typically used for background staining or counterstaining.
5. These dyes are less likely to penetrate bacterial cells due to the overall negative charge of the bacterial cell wall.

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Related terms

Basic Dye: A type of stain that carries a positive charge and binds to negatively charged cell structures.

Gram Stain:

A differential staining technique that uses both basic and acidic dyes to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Counterstain:

A secondary stain applied in some staining protocols to provide contrast after the primary stain.