ASCP Microtomy and Cryostat Techniques 3

Question 1

What is the recommended water bath temperature for floating paraffin sections before mounting?

Accepted Answer

40–45°C

Answer

20–25°C

Answer

30–35°C

Answer

55–60°C

Question 2

What is the trimming step in paraffin block preparation used for?

Accepted Answer

Removing excess paraffin to expose the tissue face

Answer

Staining the block surface

Answer

Removing the tissue from the cassette

Answer

Final fixation

Question 3

Which type of microtome is best suited for cutting undecalcified bone sections?

Accepted Answer

Sliding microtome

Answer

Rotary microtome

Answer

Cryostat

Answer

Vibratome

Question 4

What is the function of the heat plate or slide warmer after mounting sections?

Accepted Answer

To melt and drive out water and adhere the section to the slide

Answer

To stain the sections

Answer

To deparaffinize the section

Answer

To fix the section

Question 5

What causes the 'venetian blind' artifact in paraffin sections?

Accepted Answer

Alternating thick and thin areas due to incomplete ribbon advancement

Answer

Dull microtome blade

Answer

Insufficient water bath temperature

Answer

Under-fixation of tissue

Question 6

What is the purpose of sectioning a 'waste' ribbon before collecting diagnostic sections?

Accepted Answer

To remove surface paraffin and expose full tissue depth

Answer

To clean the blade

Answer

To test staining quality

Answer

To calibrate section thickness