Eozín

Eozín is a term that can refer to several related concepts, primarily in chemistry and biology. In chemistry, eosin refers to a group of synthetic organic dyes, most commonly eosin Y (pronounced EE-oh-sin), also known as eosin yellowish. Eosin Y is a fluorescent red dye and is a member of the xanthene dye family. It is widely used as a biological stain, particularly in histology and cytology.

In microscopy, eosin Y is commonly used in combination with hematoxylin to stain tissue samples. This staining technique, known as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, is a fundamental tool for examining cellular and tissue structures. Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue, while eosin Y stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink or red. The differing affinities of these dyes for cellular components allow pathologists and researchers to differentiate between various tissues and identify abnormalities.

Beyond its staining applications, eosin can also refer to the eosinophil, a type of white blood cell. Eosinophils play a role in the immune system, particularly in defending against parasites and in modulating allergic inflammatory responses. The granules within eosinophils stain brightly red with eosin Y, which is how they earned their name. The term "eozín" itself is derived from the Greek word "eos," meaning dawn, referring to the rosy color of the dye.