What Are Dyes?

Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Histology Special Stains: Connective Tissue. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Histology Special Stains: Connective Tissue (online CE course)
What Are Dyes?

Dyes are substances capable of imparting color by chemically or physically binding with materials (including biological tissues). Dyes are themselves colored due to absorption of various wavelengths of light. As an example, picric acid absorbs short wave-length light from the spectrum to transmit light perceived as yellow, while acid-fuchsin absorbs light from the middle of the spectrum to transmit light perceived as red.
Dyes can be grouped into the following two classifications:
Natural: Dyes that are derived from natural resources. The most important natural dyes in the histopathology laboratory are hematoxylin and cochineal (from which carmine is extracted).

Artificial: Dyes that are derived through chemical reactions. Artificial dyes greatly outnumber natural dyes.