Histological stains exploit the chemical properties of tissue components to enhance contrast and allow for visualization under a microscope. For example, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain is commonly used; hematoxylin binds to nucleic acids staining them blue, while eosin binds to proteins staining them pink. The affinity of these stains for specific cellular components is based on their chemical interactions, such as ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions.
