In AB-PAS staining, which color pairing correctly represents acid mucin and neutral mucin?

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Multiple Choice

In AB-PAS staining, which color pairing correctly represents acid mucin and neutral mucin?

Explanation:
AB-PAS uses two stains to differentiate mucin types. Alcian blue at pH 2.5 binds to acidic mucins (such as sulfated and carboxylated mucins) and turns them blue. After that, the PAS reaction stains neutral mucins magenta-pink. Since acidic mucins take up Alcian blue and appear blue, while neutral mucins are stained by PAS to pink, the correct pairing is blue for acid mucin and pink for neutral mucin. The other color combinations would contradict how Alcian blue and PAS interact with these mucins.

AB-PAS uses two stains to differentiate mucin types. Alcian blue at pH 2.5 binds to acidic mucins (such as sulfated and carboxylated mucins) and turns them blue. After that, the PAS reaction stains neutral mucins magenta-pink. Since acidic mucins take up Alcian blue and appear blue, while neutral mucins are stained by PAS to pink, the correct pairing is blue for acid mucin and pink for neutral mucin. The other color combinations would contradict how Alcian blue and PAS interact with these mucins.

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