Alcian Blue at pH 2.5 demonstrates which substances?

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Multiple Choice

Alcian Blue at pH 2.5 demonstrates which substances?

Explanation:
Alcian blue at pH 2.5 binds specifically to negatively charged acidic mucopolysaccharides, or glycosaminoglycans, in tissue sections. The dye is cationic, so it adheres to sulfated and carboxylated groups that confer an overall negative charge to these mucopolysaccharides. Neutral polysaccharides lack those charged groups and therefore do not stain with Alcian blue at this pH. Amyloid and lipids are demonstrated with different stains (Congo red/Thioflavin T for amyloid; Sudan dyes for lipids), not Alcian blue. Thus, the staining highlights acid mucopolysaccharides.

Alcian blue at pH 2.5 binds specifically to negatively charged acidic mucopolysaccharides, or glycosaminoglycans, in tissue sections. The dye is cationic, so it adheres to sulfated and carboxylated groups that confer an overall negative charge to these mucopolysaccharides. Neutral polysaccharides lack those charged groups and therefore do not stain with Alcian blue at this pH. Amyloid and lipids are demonstrated with different stains (Congo red/Thioflavin T for amyloid; Sudan dyes for lipids), not Alcian blue. Thus, the staining highlights acid mucopolysaccharides.

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