Safranin

Definition

Safranin is a basic dye commonly used as a counterstain in microbiology. It imparts a red or pink color to cells, helping to enhance visibility under a microscope.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Safranin is typically used in the Gram staining procedure to stain Gram-negative bacteria.
2. It is a positively charged dye that binds to negatively charged cellular components.
3. In addition to staining bacteria, safranin can also be used to stain plant tissues in botanical studies.
4. The counterstaining with safranin helps differentiate between Gram-positive (purple) and Gram-negative (red/pink) bacteria.
5. Safranin is often used in combination with other stains like crystal violet and iodine during the Gram staining process.

Review Questions

Related terms

Crystal Violet:

A primary stain in the Gram staining procedure that colors all cells purple.

Gram Staining:

A differential staining technique used to classify bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups.

Counterstain:

A secondary stain applied after the primary stain to provide contrast in microscopy.