ASCP Special Stains and Histochemistry 2

Question 1

The Alcian blue stain at pH 2.5 is used to identify what type of tissue component?

Accepted Answer

Acid mucopolysaccharides (acid mucins)

Answer

Neutral mucins

Answer

Glycogen

Answer

Elastic fibers

Question 2

In the Gram stain used in histology (Brown and Brenn technique), how do gram-positive bacteria appear?

Accepted Answer

Blue-black

Answer

Red/pink

Answer

Yellow

Answer

Green

Question 3

Which special stain is used to highlight elastic fibers in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Verhoeff's iron hematoxylin (VVG) or Weigert's resorcinol-fuchsin

Answer

Congo red

Answer

Mucicarmine

Answer

Oil Red O

Question 4

What is the purpose of the mucicarmine stain in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Highlight acid and neutral mucins, especially useful for Cryptococcus

Answer

Identify iron deposits

Answer

Stain collagen fibers

Answer

Identify amyloid

Question 5

In the Ziehl-Neelsen (acid-fast) stain, what color do acid-fast organisms (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis) appear?

Accepted Answer

Bright red/carmine

Answer

Blue

Answer

Green

Answer

Black

Question 6

What color does reticulin stain (Gordon and Sweet silver method) produce for reticular fibers?

Accepted Answer

Black

Answer

Red

Answer

Blue

Answer

Green