Stains and dyes are chemicals used to enhance the contrast of tissue samples, making cellular components more visible under the microscope. Some common stains include hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue, while eosin stains cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink, providing a clear differentiation of tissue structures.
