What is the primary drawback of using simple alcohol (Ethanol/Methanol) as a primary fixative for surgical specimens?
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Correct answer: It causes severe shrinkage and excessive tissue hardening
Alcohols are non-additive, coagulant fixatives that denature proteins by removing the water layer. While good for cytology, they cause extreme shrinkage and hardening of large tissue blocks.
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More Fixatives questions
- Which factor significantly accelerates the rate of fixation but may also increase autolysis if not controlled?
- A fixative that does not chemically combine with the tissue but instead creates an insoluble meshwork of proteins is termed:
- Michel’s medium is used for:
- Which of the following fixatives must be avoided if the tissue is to be used for Gömöri methenamine silver (GMS) staining for fungi?
- What is 'fixation by parchedness' or 'heat fixation' primarily used for in pathology?
- What is the primary mechanism of action of formaldehyde as a fixative?