Module 1: General Staining Theories

Question 1

What is the purpose of xylene in the first step of bringing to water?

Answer 1

To remove the wax

Question 2

What three components are needed to make up a dye?

Answer 2

Origin, chromophore, auxochrome

Question 3

What is the common basic auxochrome?

Answer 3

Amino group

Question 4

Name the natural stain that is used as a nuclear stain

Answer 4

Hematoxylin

Question 5

What is an amphoteric dye?

Answer 5

A dye that can be acidic or basic depending on the pH of the solution it is in

Question 6

Name three chromophores

Answer 6

Quinoid, azo, nitro

Question 7

What is a dye combined with a mordant called?

Answer 7

Lake

Question 8

Name two functional acidic auxochromes

Answer 8

Carboxyl, hydroxyl

Question 9

Name the three most common chromophore groups

Answer 9

Quinoid, nitro, azo

Question 10

Two classifications of metallic impregnation

Answer 10

Argentaffin, argyrophil

Question 11

Name the two main theories used to explain the ways in which dyes interact with tissues to produce a coloured end product

Answer 11

Physical and chemical

Question 12

True or false: Benzene is the most common aromatic compound

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What term describes the structure within a dye molecule which confers the property of a colour?

Answer 13

Chromophore

Question 14

What are the staining characteristics of a chromogen?

Answer 14

It is coloured and has no tissue affinity

Question 15

What is the function of an auxochrome?

Answer 15

To enable a dye to attach to tissue

Question 16

Classification of dyes by their auxochrome group is based on what?

Answer 16

Charge of the dye ion

Question 17

What type of stain is formed by combining an acid and a basic dye?

Answer 17

Neutral

Question 18

When an amphoteric dye is in a solution below its isoelectric point it behaves like which type of dye?

Answer 18

Basic dye

Question 19

When should quality control slides be run when staining tissue?

Answer 19

With each batch of patient slides

Question 20

Which characteristic must a lysochrome used in a preferential solubility staining method for lipids possess?

Answer 20

Strongly coloured

Question 21

What is a substance which alters a metachromatic dye called?

Answer 21

Chromotrope

Question 22

List 3 reasons why metallic impregnation cannot be classified as true staining

Answer 22

No chromophore groups
Silver is deposited around not wishing the structure
Silver solutions are heterogeneous

Question 23

What differentiates an argentaffin method from an argyrophil method?

Answer 23

In an argentaffin method tissue components reduce the silver directly