Histology Certification Specimen Preparation 2

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of mordanting in histological staining?

Accepted Answer

To link the dye to tissue components

Answer

A mordant forms a bridge between the dye and tissue, improving dye binding and staining intensity.

Question 2

Which fixative is most appropriate for preserving glycogen in tissue specimens?

Accepted Answer

10% neutral buffered formalin

Answer

10% neutral buffered formalin preserves glycogen adequately because it avoids the alcoholic fixatives that dissolve this carbohydrate.

Question 3

What problem occurs when tissue is processed through graded alcohols too rapidly?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate dehydration leaving residual water

Answer

Rushing through graded alcohols leaves residual water that prevents complete infiltration of the clearing agent and paraffin.

Question 4

The 'clearing' step in tissue processing refers to:

Accepted Answer

Replacing alcohol with a paraffin-miscible solvent

Answer

Clearing replaces the dehydrating agent (alcohol) with a solvent such as xylene that is miscible with both alcohol and paraffin wax.

Question 5

Which embedding medium is preferred for cutting frozen sections in an emergency intraoperative setting?

Accepted Answer

OCT compound

Answer

OCT (Optimal Cutting Temperature) compound is the standard cryostat embedding medium that supports frozen tissue during sectioning.

Histology Certification Practice Test