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Glite Dictionary
basic dye

basic dye

5.3
A positively charged stain used to colour acidic parts of cells
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : tinte básico
  • The scientist used a basic dye to stain the cell nuclei for easier observation under the microscope.

Examples

  • Methylene blue is a well-known example of a basic dye used in biological staining.

  • Unlike acid dyes, basic dyes are attracted to the acidic structures within cells.

  • The basic dye worked perfectly.

  • The scientist used a basic dye to stain the cells.

  • Methylene blue is a well-known example of a basic dye used in biological staining.

  • The scientist used a basic dye to stain the cell nuclei for easier observation under the microscope.

  • Unlike acid dyes, basic dyes are used to stain cellular structures due to their attraction to acidic components.

Synonyms

basic color
vsbasic dye
  • Specialized
7.2

A dye with a positive charge that sticks to acid parts and stains cells and fabrics

is the same chemical type but emphasises staining acidic parts in biological specimens
dyestuff
vsbasic dye
7.7

A substance used to add color to cloth and hair

is a specific positively charged type used mainly to stain acidic biological components

Surface Forms

basic dye singular
basic dyes plural

Morphology

basic + dye

The phrase is compositionally built: a learner who knows 'basic' means alkaline and 'dye' means a colouring substance can infer this is a dye with basic (alkaline) properties. While the definition adds technical details about positive ions and staining acidic components, the core meaning (‘a dye that is basic/alkaline’) is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Basic dye comes from how the basic part is 'positively charged' and is attracted to 'acidic' parts of cells. A basic dye is like a tiny 'positive' paint that sticks to those 'acidic' areas, so it makes them easy to see under a microscope.