PICROCARMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Picrocarmine is a deep red biological stain commonly used in histology and cytology applications. It is produced by acidifying the natural dye, carmine, with dilute picric acid.
Picrocarmine serves as a valuable tool for microscopic examination of various tissues, highlighting specific cellular structures and components. It is particularly useful in staining cytoplasmic granules, connective tissues, and structures composed of collagen and reticulin fibers. Picrocarmine can also be employed to study the central nervous system and to differentiate epithelial and muscle tissues.
The stain works by selectively binding to different components within the tissue samples. It shows strong affinity towards sulfated and carboxylated tissue components, staining them a deep red color under microscopic observation. Other tissue elements like nuclei and collagen fibers are stained less intensely or not at all, allowing for greater visibility and contrast between different cellular structures when observed under a microscope.
Picrocarmine’s vibrant red color makes it an excellent choice for visualization and identification of cellular structures in biological specimens. Its compatibility with a wide range of tissues and its ability to provide clear images enhance its utility in scientific research and medical applications.
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A stain made of carmine 1, ammonia 5, distilled water 50, aqueous solution of picric acid 50; used in histology.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PICROCARMINE
- oicrocarmine
- licrocarmine
- -icrocarmine
- 0icrocarmine
- pucrocarmine
- pjcrocarmine
- pkcrocarmine
- pocrocarmine
- p9crocarmine
- p8crocarmine
- pixrocarmine
- pivrocarmine
- pifrocarmine
- pidrocarmine
- piceocarmine
- picdocarmine
- picfocarmine
- pictocarmine
- pic5ocarmine
- pic4ocarmine
Etymology of PICROCARMINE
The word "picrocarmine" has its origins in the combination of two separate words: "picro" and "carmine".
1. "Picro" comes from the Greek word "pikros", meaning "bitter".
2. "Carmine" is derived from the Latin word "carmen", which refers to "crimson" or "coloring matter obtained from plants or insects".
Therefore, "picrocarmine" can be understood as a compound word where "picro" describes the bitterness and "carmine" denotes the crimson or coloring properties. Picrocarmine refers to a red dye used in histology and microscopy, typically derived from carmine dye with added picric acid for extra staining effectiveness.
