These toxic chemicals play crucial roles in histology by preserving tissue architecture and enhancing the contrast of cellular components. Formaldehyde fixes tissues by cross-linking proteins, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the sample. Xylene clears the tissue, making it transparent and easier to embed in paraffin. Ethanol and methanol dehydrate tissues, preparing them for staining and embedding. These processes ensure that the tissue samples are suitable for microscopic examination and long-term storage.
