Several steps and techniques are employed to achieve minimal biological interference in histology:
Fixation: The process of preserving tissues by using fixatives like formaldehyde, which cross-links proteins and halts biological activity, thereby preventing decomposition and autolysis. Embedding: Tissues are embedded in a medium such as paraffin wax, which provides support for sectioning and maintains tissue architecture. Sectioning: Thin slices of tissue are cut using a microtome. The thinner the sections, the less likely they are to suffer from artifacts or distortions during examination. Staining: Various staining techniques are used to enhance the contrast of cellular components. Choosing the appropriate stain is crucial to avoid non-specific binding and to highlight specific structures without altering them. Microscopy: Advanced imaging techniques, including confocal and electron microscopy, allow for high-resolution visualization of tissues with minimal interference.
