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Microscope Slide Stains

You will find stains needed to prepare microscope slides in the Chemicals section. Common stains and their uses are as follows:

  • Iodine: Stains carbohydrates in plant and animal specimens brown or blue-black. Stains glycogen red.
  • Methylene blue: Stains acidic cell parts (like nucleus) blue. Use on animal, bacteria and blood specimens. Can be used as a substitute for Janis B Green.
  • Eosin Y: Stains alkaline cell parts (like cytoplasm) pink. Use on plants, animals and blood. Can be used as a substitute for Congo Red and Carmine.
  • Toluidene blue: Stains acidic cell parts (like nucleus) dark blue. Good to show mitosis in plant cells.
  • Wright’s stain: Stains red blood cells pink/red.
  • Crystal Violet: Stains bacteria purple.
  • Aceto-orcein: Biological stain for chromosomes and connective tissue.
  • Sudan III: Biological stain used as a lipid indicator.

More Information:

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