Fixation is a critical step in histology, aimed at preserving the tissue's cellular structure and molecular composition. The fixatives used, such as formalin, work by cross-linking proteins and stabilizing cellular components. The rate of fixation is temperature-dependent; higher temperatures generally accelerate the fixation process, but they can also lead to over-fixation and tissue hardening. Conversely, lower temperatures may slow down fixation, risking incomplete preservation of the tissue.
