Staining is a critical step to enhance the contrast of microscopic images. Common stains include:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E): The most widely used stain in histology, where hematoxylin stains nuclei blue and eosin stains cytoplasm pink. Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS): Highlights carbohydrates and carbohydrate-rich structures in magenta. Masson's Trichrome: Differentiates between muscle, collagen, and fibrin. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Uses antibodies to detect specific proteins within tissues.
