ICT Histology AI generated Flashcards
Describe histology.
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals.
What is tissue fixation?
Tissue fixation involves using chemical fixatives to preserve tissue from degradation and maintain the structure of cells and sub-cellular components.
How are thin sections of tissue prepared for examination under a light microscope?
Thin sections of tissue are cut on steel knives mounted in a microtome, typically 3 to 10 microns in thickness.
Define embedding in histology.
Embedding in histology involves dehydrating tissue in alcohols, infiltrating with paraffin, or a similar agent to prepare it for sectioning.
What is the purpose of differential staining in histology?
Differential staining is used in histology to help recognize the various components of cells and tissues under a light microscope.
Do you need to cut tissue into thin sections for electron microscopy?
Yes, for electron microscopy, tissue sections are cut considerably less than one ten-thousandth of a millimeter thick.
Describe the process of freezing fresh or fixed tissue in histology.
Freezing fresh or fixed tissue is an alternative method to tissue fixation in histology to prepare it for examination.
Describe the difference between basic and dyes in staining methods.
Basic dyes are cationic and form salts with tissue anions, while acid dyes are anionic and form salts with cationic groups in cells and tissues.
Define basophilic and acidophilic in the context of staining methods.
Basophilic refers to components that take up basic stains, while acidophilic refers to components that have an affinity for acid dyes.
How do stains react in histological staining processes?
Stains can react by combining directly with the tissue or by requiring the tissues to be treated first with an anchoring substance or mordant.
Do staining methods solely depend on the type of stain used?
No, the coloring achieved with a stain is also influenced by the characteristics of the cell/tissue and the fixation method used.
Describe the learning objective of histology basics.
The learning objective is to understand and interpret structures seen under the microscope, recognize general structures present in all organs, like blood vessels, and identify specific components.
What is the composition of the tunica media in blood vessels?
The tunica media is made up of smooth muscle cells.
How can recognizing general structures like blood vessels aid in histological examination?
Recognizing general structures helps in examining organs under the microscope and understanding the basic components present in various tissues.
Explain the importance of altering staining methods in histology.
Staining methods can be altered to accentuate specific tissues or organelles based on the needs of the examiner, allowing for better visualization and analysis under the microscope.
