What Techniques are Used to Study Biochemical Reactions in Histology?
Several techniques are employed to study biochemical reactions in histology:
Histochemistry: This technique involves staining tissues to visualize biochemical compounds. Common stains include Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), which are used to highlight cell nuclei and cytoplasm, respectively. Enzyme Histochemistry: This method detects specific enzymatic activities within tissues. For instance, the Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction is used to identify glycogen and other polysaccharides. Immunohistochemistry: This technique uses antibodies to detect specific proteins within tissues, revealing their distribution and abundance. In Situ Hybridization: This method allows for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences within tissue sections, providing insights into gene expression.
