Assessing the functional state involves various techniques and methods:
Histochemical Staining: This involves staining tissues to observe specific chemical components or activities, such as enzyme activity. Immunohistochemistry: This technique uses antibodies to detect specific proteins, helping to identify functional markers within tissues. In Situ Hybridization: This method detects specific nucleic acid sequences, providing information on gene expression levels. Electron Microscopy: This allows for the ultrastructural examination of tissues, revealing details about cellular organelles and their functional states.