Staining

Use of dyes or related reagents to distinguish structures in biological material. Selective staining can reveal structures difficult to see directly, but preparation and reagent effects must be assessed.

A histological stain that detects certain carbohydrate-rich structures after chemical oxidation produces reactive groups. The staining pattern identifies chemical properties and location rather than a unique molecule.

Staining that identifies organisms or material retaining dye after an acid-containing decolorization step. The property reflects cell-envelope chemistry; a positive stain alone does not identify every species or demonstrate viability.

A dye used in tissue investigation, notably for detecting amyloid through characteristic staining and optical behavior. Dye binding supplies evidence about an ordered deposit rather than identifying the precursor protein by itself.