Various stains are used to differentiate cellular components, each with specific applications:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): The most commonly used stain in histology. Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue, while eosin stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): Used to detect polysaccharides, mucosubstances, and glycoproteins in tissues. Masson's Trichrome: Differentiates between collagen and muscle fibers, useful in liver and muscle biopsies. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues, crucial for identifying cancer markers.