Path Pro Flashcards
1
Q
What are the three main steps in preparing a microscope slide?
A
Fixation
Blocking
Mounting
2
Q
What is fixation?
A
Prevent autolysis (self-digestion) Inactivate tissue enzymes Denature proteins Prevent bacterial growth Harden tissue
3
Q
How do you perform fixation?
A
Hold tissue in formalin (formaldehyde in water)
Usually fix for 24-48 hours
Slice into large specimens
4
Q
What happens during blocking?
A
Tissue taken out of cassettes and put into metal blocks
Blocks filled with molten paraffin wax
Wax is allowed to harden
5
Q
What happens during mounting?
A
(Preserves and protects the slice of tissue)
Mounting medium applied to the slide
Coverslip placed on top
Mounting medium dries and hardens attaching the cover slip
6
Q
What stains the nuclei and what colour?
A
Haematoxylin stains nuclei purple
7
Q
What stains the cytoplasm and connective tissue and what colour?
A
Eosin stains it pink
