What is the Role of pH in Histological Procedures?
The pH of staining solutions can significantly impact the outcome of histological staining. For example, the efficacy of hematoxylin staining is highly dependent on the pH of the solution. A slightly alkaline pH enhances the binding of hematoxylin to nucleic acids, providing a clearer view of cell nuclei. Similarly, the pH of fixatives can influence tissue preservation and the quality of subsequent staining.