Difference between stain and unstain preparation

A stained preparation involves adding dyes or stains to a specimen before viewing it under a microscope. These stains bind to specific cellular components, increasing their contrast and making them more visible. This allows for better observation of cell structures, their morphology, and their arrangement.

An unstained preparation, also known as a wet mount or fresh mount, involves viewing a specimen directly without the addition of any stains. This method is useful for observing living organisms or cells in their natural state, as stains can sometimes kill or alter the behavior of living cells. It's often used to observe motility or natural color.