basic stain
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Related to basic stain: acidic stain, neutral stain
ba·sic stain
a dye in which the cation is the colored component of the dye molecule that binds to anionic groups of nucleic acids (PO4Ξ) or acidic mucopolysaccharides (for example, chondroitin sulfate).
ba·sic stain
(bā'sik stān)A dye in which the cation is the colored component of the dye molecule that binds to anionic groups of nucleic acids (PO4≡) or acidic mucopolysaccharides.
basic stain
A chemical used to add pigment to the nuclear or acidic components of cells.
See also: stain