In hematoxylin staining, which compound acts as the active dye formed by oxidation of hematoxylin?

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Multiple Choice

In hematoxylin staining, which compound acts as the active dye formed by oxidation of hematoxylin?

Explanation:
In hematoxylin staining, the active dye is hematein—the oxidized form of hematoxylin. Hematoxylin must be oxidized to hematein before it can bind to tissue. Hematein then forms a colored complex with a mordant (such as aluminum or iron), which anchors the dye to tissue and yields the characteristic blue to purple nuclear stain by binding to nucleic acids. Eosin is the counterstain for cytoplasm and connective tissue, not the active dye produced by oxidation. The mordant isn’t the dye itself, but the binder that helps hematein adhere to tissue.

In hematoxylin staining, the active dye is hematein—the oxidized form of hematoxylin. Hematoxylin must be oxidized to hematein before it can bind to tissue. Hematein then forms a colored complex with a mordant (such as aluminum or iron), which anchors the dye to tissue and yields the characteristic blue to purple nuclear stain by binding to nucleic acids. Eosin is the counterstain for cytoplasm and connective tissue, not the active dye produced by oxidation. The mordant isn’t the dye itself, but the binder that helps hematein adhere to tissue.

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