Fixation Flashcards
(39 cards)
First and most critical step
Fixation
Primary aim
To preserve in life-like manner
Secondary goal
To harden and protect
The most important reaction
Stabilization of proteins
Stabilization of proteins can be achieved by
Forming cross-links between proteins
Fixes tissues by forming cross-linkage between lysine residues
Formaldehyde
Fixative is taken in, becomes part of the tissue through cross-links
Additive
Fixative is not incorporated but alters tissue composition and stabilizes it through water removal
Non-additive
pH in fixation
6.0-8.0
pH of normal phosphate buffered saline-based fixative
7.0
Usual temp
RT (18-30degC)
Tissue processor temp
40-42degC
EM and histochem temp
0-4degC
Mast cells for EM temp
RT
Slows down decomposition if tissue cannot be fixed immediately
Refrigeration
Rapid dixation of urgent biopsy specimen
Formalin heated to 60degC
Fix tissues with tuberculosis
Formalin heated to 100degC
Thicknes of sections for EM
1-2 mm^2
Thicknes of sections for light microscopy
2 cm^2
Thicknes of sections for thin LM
0.4 cm or 4 mm
Large solid tissues like uterus should be
Opened/sliced thinly
Brain is usually suspended in ___ for ___
10% NBF; 2-3 weeks
Osmolality for best results are obtained using
Slightly hypertonic (400-450 mOsm)
Added to osmium tetroxide fixatives for EM
Sucrose