Quenching agents play a vital role in histological studies for several reasons:
1. Preventing Autofluorescence: Tissue samples can exhibit natural fluorescence that interferes with specific staining. Quenching agents reduce this background noise, allowing for clearer imaging. 2. Terminating Enzymatic Activity: Enzymes used in histology can continue to act on substrates, potentially leading to over-digestion or non-specific staining. Quenching agents halt this activity at the desired endpoint. 3. Neutralizing Free Radicals: During some histological procedures, free radicals are generated that can damage cellular structures. Quenching agents neutralize these reactive species, preserving tissue integrity.
