Oil Red O staining is based on which principle?

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Multiple Choice

Oil Red O staining is based on which principle?

Explanation:
Oil Red O staining relies on the dye’s lipophilicity. Oil Red O is soluble in neutral lipids, such as triglycerides, so it dissolves into lipid droplets within tissue sections and stains them red. This makes it a method to visualize stored fats and fat-containing structures. Because lipids are removed during standard paraffin processing, this stain is performed on fresh-frozen (cryosectioned) tissue so the lipids are preserved. The color is seen under light microscopy with a counterstain often used to provide contrast. This method is not based on pH changes, enzymatic activity, or fluorescence, which is why dye solubility in lipids is the correct principle.

Oil Red O staining relies on the dye’s lipophilicity. Oil Red O is soluble in neutral lipids, such as triglycerides, so it dissolves into lipid droplets within tissue sections and stains them red. This makes it a method to visualize stored fats and fat-containing structures. Because lipids are removed during standard paraffin processing, this stain is performed on fresh-frozen (cryosectioned) tissue so the lipids are preserved. The color is seen under light microscopy with a counterstain often used to provide contrast. This method is not based on pH changes, enzymatic activity, or fluorescence, which is why dye solubility in lipids is the correct principle.

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