The preparation of micrographs involves several meticulous steps:
1. Fixation: This process preserves tissue structure by cross-linking proteins. Common fixatives include formalin and glutaraldehyde.
2. Embedding: The fixed tissue is embedded in a medium like paraffin or resin to provide support during sectioning.
3. Sectioning: Thin sections of the embedded tissue are cut using a microtome. For electron microscopy, ultrathin sections are required.
4. Staining: To enhance contrast, tissues are stained using various dyes. For instance, H&E staining is widely used in light microscopy, while heavy metals like osmium tetroxide are used in TEM.
5. Imaging: The prepared sections are then observed under the microscope, and images are captured.
