SELECTIVE STAIN Meaning and
Definition
-
A selective stain is a type of laboratory dye or coloring agent specifically designed to highlight or differentiate certain components of a specimen or sample. It is commonly used in microbiology and histology to visualize or identify specific microorganisms, cells, or structures within a complex mixture.
Selective stains work by having differential affinity for different components of the sample. This means that they selectively bind to certain structures or substances while leaving others uncolored or less stained. Through this process, selective stains enhance the visibility of targeted elements, allowing researchers to distinguish them from the background or other components.
In microbiology, selective stains are frequently employed to differentiate between different types of bacteria or fungi based on their structural or physiological characteristics. For instance, the Gram stain is a commonly used selective stain that categorizes bacteria into Gram-negative and Gram-positive based on the differences in their cell walls.
In histology, selective stains aid in highlighting specific tissues or cellular structures. For example, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain is a widely used selective stain that helps distinguish between different types of cells and identify their structures. Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue-purple, while Eosin stains cytoplasm and extracellular components pink or red.
Overall, selective stains are crucial tools in the field of life sciences, helping researchers visualize and understand complex samples by selectively highlighting specific elements of interest.
-
A stain which colors one portion of a tissue or cell exclusively or more deeply than the remaining portions.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SELECTIVE STAIN
- selective stahn
- selective staif
- selective stail
- selective staio
- selectivestein
- selectivestainn
- s elective stain
- se lective stain
- sel ective stain
- sele ctive stain
- selec tive stain
- select ive stain
- selecti ve stain
- selectiv e stain
- selective s tain
- selective st ain
- selective sta in
- selective stai n
Etymology of SELECTIVE STAIN
The word "selective" comes from the Latin word "selectus", which means "chosen" or "picked out". The word "stain" comes from the Old English word "stainian" or "styne", which refers to the process of coloring or marking something.
In the context of laboratory science, a "selective stain" is a type of staining method used to highlight specific structures, cells, or microorganisms while leaving others unstained or less visible. This method selectively targets certain components, helping researchers observe or identify them more easily. The term "selective stain" combines the idea of choosing or picking out certain elements (selective) with the process of coloring or marking (stain) to create a specific meaning in the field of science.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
