Silver staining
Silver staining
Silver staining is a technique used in histology to detect certain substances, such as proteins and nucleic acids, in a tissue sample. The technique involves the use of silver ions which are reduced to metallic silver by the substances to be detected. The metallic silver then forms a dark deposit which can be seen under a microscope.
Pronunciation
Silver staining: /ˈsɪlvər ˈsteɪnɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "silver staining" comes from the use of silver ions in the staining process. The word "silver" is derived from the Old English seolfor, and "staining" comes from the Old English stæining, meaning "coloring".
Related terms
- Histology: The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
- Staining: The process of coloring the microorganisms with the help of a dye that is called a stain.
- Silver nitrate: A chemical compound used in silver staining.
- Microscopy: The technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Procedure
The procedure for silver staining involves several steps. First, the tissue sample is fixed to prevent degradation. Then, it is treated with a solution containing silver ions. The silver ions are reduced to metallic silver by the substances to be detected. The metallic silver forms a dark deposit which can be seen under a microscope.
Applications
Silver staining is used in a variety of applications. It is often used in histology to detect proteins and nucleic acids in tissue samples. It can also be used in microbiology to stain certain types of bacteria, and in cytology to stain chromosomes in cell samples.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Silver staining
- Wikipedia's article - Silver staining
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