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Multiple Choice
Which staining technique can be used to identify the presence of carbohydrates in tissue samples?
A
Silver stain
B
Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain
C
Masson's trichrome stain
D
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the purpose of staining techniques: Staining techniques are used in histology to highlight specific components within tissue samples, making them visible under a microscope.
Identify the target component: In this problem, the target component is carbohydrates within tissue samples.
Learn about the Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain: The PAS stain is specifically used to detect polysaccharides such as glycogen, mucosubstances like glycoproteins, and glycolipids in tissues. It works by oxidizing the carbohydrates to form aldehydes, which then react with the Schiff reagent to produce a magenta color.
Compare with other stains: Silver stain is typically used for proteins and nucleic acids, Masson's trichrome stain is used for connective tissue, and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain is a general stain for cell nuclei and cytoplasm but not specific for carbohydrates.
Conclude the appropriate stain: Based on the target component and the specific use of PAS stain, it is the correct choice for identifying carbohydrates in tissue samples.