What is the function of a mordant in a staining process?

In the staining process, a mordant serves as a reagent that interacts with a stain, enhancing its adherence to the specimen or tissue being examined. This is critical in various staining protocols, particularly in histology and microbiology, where the goal is to visualize specific cellular structures or organisms. By combining with the dye, the mordant can form a stable complex that makes the stain more effective and helps it to penetrate the cellular structure, ultimately aiding in clearer observation under microscopy. This interaction ensures that the stain does not wash away easily and maintains its visibility during subsequent viewing and analysis.

Other functions described, such as primary or secondary stains, pertain to different roles in the staining process and do not involve the specific function of a mordant, which is purely to facilitate adherence and fixation of the stain to the target. Simple staining methods focus on basic visualization and are distinct from more complex procedures involving mordants.