Histological stains often target specific cellular components based on their chemical properties. For instance, most acidic dyes have a high affinity for basic (alkaline) tissue components, such as proteins with positively charged amino acids. Conversely, basic dyes are more attracted to acidic tissue components, like nucleic acids. The pKa values of these dyes determine their ionization state at different pH levels, influencing their binding efficiency and stain intensity.
