Histopathology

Fixatives Practice Questions

20 free Fixatives practice questions for the Pathology, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Open any question below, or take the full set as an interactive quiz.

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All Fixatives questions

20 questions
  1. Q1. What is the primary mechanism of action of formaldehyde as a fixative?
  2. Q2. Which of the following fixatives is considered the 'gold standard' for routine histopathology and long-term storage?
  3. Q3. A pathology resident observes a brown, granular pigment in a blood-rich tissue section fixed in unbuffered formalin. This pigment can be removed by treating th…
  4. Q4. Which fixative is specifically preferred for electron microscopy due to its superior preservation of intracellular ultrastructure?
  5. Q5. Which of the following is a major disadvantage of using Mercuric Chloride-based fixatives (e.g., B5 or Zenker's)?
  6. Q6. Bouin's fluid is composed of formaldehyde, acetic acid, and which other chemical?
  7. Q7. What is the primary role of Acetic Acid when included in compound fixatives?
  8. Q8. Which fixative is the best choice for preserving glycogen and nucleic acids, despite causing significant shrinkage?
  9. Q9. What is the recommended duration for fixing a 4mm thick tissue specimen in 10% formalin for routine processing?
  10. Q10. Which of the following fixatives is recommended for fixing lymph nodes to enhance nuclear detail for lymphoma diagnosis?
  11. Q11. Zenker's fluid contains which chemical that necessitates thorough washing in water post-fixation to prevent 'chrome pigment'?
  12. Q12. Which fixative is used both as a primary fixative for lipids and a secondary 'stain' for electron microscopy?
  13. Q13. Acetone is most commonly used as a fixative for:
  14. Q14. Which of the following describes 'Orth's fluid'?
  15. Q15. What is the primary drawback of using simple alcohol (Ethanol/Methanol) as a primary fixative for surgical specimens?
  16. Q16. Which factor significantly accelerates the rate of fixation but may also increase autolysis if not controlled?
  17. Q17. A fixative that does not chemically combine with the tissue but instead creates an insoluble meshwork of proteins is termed:
  18. Q18. Michel’s medium is used for:
  19. Q19. Which of the following fixatives must be avoided if the tissue is to be used for Gömöri methenamine silver (GMS) staining for fungi?
  20. Q20. What is 'fixation by parchedness' or 'heat fixation' primarily used for in pathology?