Fixation Flashcards
What is the first step in histotechnology?
Fixation
What does fixation prevent?
Autolysis and putrefaction
Is fixation a reversible process?
No, it’s irreversible
What does fixation preserve?
Morphologic and chemical integrity
When should fixation be carried out?
As soon as possible after tissue removal
What does autolysis result from?
Intracellular enzymes release
What causes bacterial decomposition?
Microorganisms present
What is ischemia?
Reduced blood flow
What improves tissue preservation?
Early fixation
What are the two basic mechanisms involved in fixation?
Additive and Non-Additive
What does additive fixation do?
Forms cross-links
Examples of additive fixatives?
Formalin, Mercury, Osmium
What happens to improperly fixed tissues?
Poor staining and cutting
What is the importance of Acidity?
Formation of black, polarizable deposits in tissue
What is the ideal temperature for electron microscopy workouts?
0-4℃
What is a disadvantage of using Formalin at 60℃?
Increased risk of tissue distortion
What is the ideal thickness of a tissue block for electron microscopy?
1-2 mm2
What is the usual concentration of Formaldehyde solution used?
0.1
What is the usual duration of primary fixation in buffered formalin?
2-6 hours
How can the activity of some enzymes be restored after fixation?
Washing in running water
What is formaldehyde?
Fixative
What is glutaraldehyde?
Fixative
What is a metallic fixative?
Contains mercury, chromium, or lead
What is a compound fixative?
Made of two or more fixatives
What is the primary component of nuclear fixatives?
Glacial acetic acid
What pH do nuclear fixatives typically have?
4.6 or less
Name examples of nuclear fixatives.
Flemming’s, Carnoy’s, Bouin’s, Newcomer’s, Heidenhain’s Susa
Examples of lipid fixation agents?
Formal Saline 10%, Absolute Ethyl Alcohol, Acetone
What should be used to demonstrate lipids in tissues?
Cryostat or frozen sections
Effective fixative for lipid preservation?
Mercuric chloride and potassium dichromate
Which fixatives fix phospholipids?
Aldehydes
Post-fixing for improved lipid demonstration?
Imidazole osmium tetroxide
Fixative for cholesterol demonstration?
Digitonin
Recommended fixatives for glycogen?
Alcoholic fixatives
Better fixative in human skin for glycogen?
Alcoholic formaldehyde
Common fixatives for protein histochemistry?
Neutral buffered formol saline, formaldehyde vapor
Best fixatives for glycogen retention?
Rossman’s fluid, Cold absolute alcohol
Enhancement method for glycogen retention?
Celloidin coating
Useful mixture for electron cytochemistry?
Karnovsky Paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde
What is an optimal preservative that stabilizes cellular proteins?
Acrolein
Which fixative is most widely used?
10% formalin
What are aldehyde fixatives used for?
Routine paraffin sections
What is a pro of the fixative regarding tissue stability?
Stable in buffered solutions
What does the fixative preserve without precipitating?
Proteins
What is a con of the fixative related to tissue?
Can cause significant shrinkage
Why is the fixative recommended for nervous tissue preparation?
Does not make tissue brittle
Does the fixative overhard tissues?
No
Effect of unbuffered fixation
Reduces cell staining quality
Unbuffered fixation effects on blood tissues
Forms brown pigment granules
Consequences of prolonged fixation
Bleaching and loss of tissue colors
What is B. 10% Formol Saline?
Microanatomical fixative
Components of B. 10% Formol Saline?
40% Formaldehyde + NaCl + Distilled water
Recommended fixation time at 35 ℃?
24 hours
Pros of B. 10% Formol Saline?
Even penetration, preserves details
Cons of B. 10% Formol Saline?
Slow, tissue shrinkage
How does the tissue composition stabilize?
removing the bound water attached to H-bonds
What is the name of the alcohol fixative that is best carried out close to neutral pH?
Hydrogen Ion Concentration
What does increase the optical differentiation of cells and tissue components thereby rendering them more readily visible during examination?
inhibit bacterial decomposition
What destroys mitochondria and golgi bodies?
ntain glacial acetic acid
For what type of organism does precipitant fixatives ethanol and acetone give the best quantitative results using frozen tissues as the standard B.1.4
RNA
What do precipitant fixatives give the best quantitative results using frozen tissues as the standard B.1.4 Histochemical Fixatives?
ethanol and acetone
Formaldehyde is usually buffered to pH 7 with what?
phosphate buffer
What stains less brightly C. 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin or Phosphate Buffered Formalin?
acid dye
What are the pros of using the fixative?
Cheap, stable, compatible
What does the fixative preserve?
Fat, mucin, glycogen
What is a con of the fixative?
Causes allergic dermatitis
How does the fixative affect tissue?
May produce shrinkage
Why is the fixative recommended for nervous tissue?
Does not make brittle
Effect of unbuffered fixation on staining
Reduces basophilic and eosinophilic staining
Brown pigment granules formation cause
Blackening of hemoglobin
Consequences of prolonged fixation
Bleaching, color loss, fat dispersal
What is B. 10% Formol Saline made of?
40% Formaldehyde + NaCl + Distilled water
What is the recommended fixation time for B. 10% Formol Saline at 35 ℃?
24 hours