Microtomy · Pathology

What is 'static electricity' in microtomy, and how does it affect the process?

  1. It sharpens the knife; it is beneficial
  2. Sections cling to the knife or fly away from the block; it is detrimental
  3. It prevents the paraffin ribbon from forming correctly on the knife
  4. It heats the paraffin wax and causes partial melting of the block
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Correct answer: Sections cling to the knife or fly away from the block; it is detrimental

Static electricity can build up in dry environments, causing the sections to fly away or stick to the microtome, the technician, or the block face. Increasing humidity or using anti-static devices can mitigate this issue.

Difficulty: Medium Question 19 of 20

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