DEHYDRATION Flashcards
removal of intracellular and extracellular water from tissues
dehydration
amount of dehydrating agent
at least 10x that of the tissue
commonly used dehydrating agents
- alcohol
- acetone
- dioxane
- cellosolve
- triethyl phosphate
- tetrahydrofuran (THF)
recommended for routine tissue dehydration
ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
best dehydrating agent
ethyl alcohol (Ethanol)
fast-acting, mixes with water and many inorganic solvents, penetrates tissues easily, not poisonous and expensive
ethyl alcohol
primarily used for blood and tissue films; toxic when ingested
methanol
utilized in plant animal microtechnique; slow acting but there is less shrinkage
butanol
univeral solvent. dehydrates and clears
tertiary butanol (82%)
dissolves paraffin
pentanol
excellent substitute for ethanol
isopropanol
best clearing agent for microwave technique
isopropanol
insures complete dehydration
anhydrous copper sulfate
indicates presence of water
blue
clear, colorless liquid, highly miscible but flammable
acetone