Staining techniques are methods used in microscopy to enhance the visibility of structures within biological samples. These techniques involve applying specific dyes or stains that bind to particular cellular components, allowing researchers to observe details that would otherwise be difficult to see. Common stains include Hematoxylin and Eosin, which are often used in histology to differentiate between various tissue types.
Different staining techniques can be categorized based on their purpose, such as Gram staining for identifying bacteria or immunohistochemistry for detecting specific proteins. Each technique has its own protocols and applications, making them essential tools in fields like pathology and cell biology.