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!

Multiple Choice

Which reagent is used to blue the stain in H&E?

Blueing is the step that shifts the hematoxylin color from brownish to blue, creating clear, stable nuclear staining. This is achieved by exposing the stained tissue to an alkaline solution, which promotes the formation of the blue hematoxylin complex. Lithium carbonate is commonly used as this blueing agent because its alkaline environment converts the stain to its blue form and fixes the color. Hematoxylin is the dye that binds to nuclei, while eosin provides the pink counterstain for cytoplasm. Acid alcohol acts as a differentiator for hematoxylin, not for blueing. So the reagent that performs the blueing is lithium carbonate.

Blueing is the step that shifts the hematoxylin color from brownish to blue, creating clear, stable nuclear staining. This is achieved by exposing the stained tissue to an alkaline solution, which promotes the formation of the blue hematoxylin complex. Lithium carbonate is commonly used as this blueing agent because its alkaline environment converts the stain to its blue form and fixes the color. Hematoxylin is the dye that binds to nuclei, while eosin provides the pink counterstain for cytoplasm. Acid alcohol acts as a differentiator for hematoxylin, not for blueing. So the reagent that performs the blueing is lithium carbonate.