Specimen Preparation Flashcards
7 cards from real Histology Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Specimen Preparation flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of mordanting in histological staining?
Answer: To link the dye to tissue components
A mordant forms a bridge between the dye and tissue, improving dye binding and staining intensity.
Which fixative is most appropriate for preserving glycogen in tissue specimens?
Answer: 10% neutral buffered formalin
10% neutral buffered formalin preserves glycogen adequately because it avoids the alcoholic fixatives that dissolve this carbohydrate.
What problem occurs when tissue is processed through graded alcohols too rapidly?
Answer: Inadequate dehydration leaving residual water
Rushing through graded alcohols leaves residual water that prevents complete infiltration of the clearing agent and paraffin.
The 'clearing' step in tissue processing refers to:
Answer: Replacing alcohol with a paraffin-miscible solvent
Clearing replaces the dehydrating agent (alcohol) with a solvent such as xylene that is miscible with both alcohol and paraffin wax.
Which embedding medium is preferred for cutting frozen sections in an emergency intraoperative setting?
Answer: OCT compound
OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature) compound is the standard cryostat embedding medium that supports frozen tissue during sectioning.
A section shows excessive chatter marks (parallel lines) across the tissue. The most likely cause is:
Answer: Dull or nicked microtome blade
Chatter marks are caused by vibration during cutting, most commonly from a dull or nicked blade edge.
What is the recommended storage temperature for paraffin tissue blocks to preserve antigen integrity for future IHC?
Answer: 4°C
Paraffin blocks should be stored at 4°C to slow antigen degradation while avoiding freeze-thaw damage to tissue morphology.