Picric acid has which characteristic?

Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Picric acid acts as a fixative by coagulating proteins, which helps preserve tissue structure and also contributes to staining because it imparts a yellow coloration to the specimen. However, this coagulative action comes with a major drawback: it causes extreme tissue shrinkage, especially in delicate tissues. Because of this strong fixing action, picric acid is often used as an additive in fixatives (for example in Bouin’s solution) to enhance fixation and staining, but the shrinkage risk means tissues must be handled carefully and excess picric acid should be thoroughly washed out before processing. This combination—fixing and staining capability with a tendency to cause marked shrinkage and hardening—best matches the described characteristic. The other options don’t fit: picric acid is a coagulative fixative, not a non-coagulant one; it does not specifically stain calcium; and it is not a pale blue stain for cartilage.