H & E PP

When studying histology, staining is a procedure that allows scientists to identify and observe different structures. One of the most common stains for histology is the hematoxylin and eosin stain. Hematoxylin is a basic dye. Since it is a basic dye, it has the ability to stain acid structures in the cell. DNA and RNA in the nucleus or cell are often dyed by hematoxylin. Hematoxylin dyes these structures a purple/blue color. For contrast in staining, eosin is a pink acidic dye used to stain basic structures. Proteins are the most common structures stained by eosin. The contrast between the two dyes makes it easier for individuals to find and identify certain structures in the cell efficiently.