The physical and chemical properties of alkanes make them ideal for certain histological applications:
Hydrophobic Nature: Alkanes are non-polar and hydrophobic, which helps in avoiding water contamination in tissue samples. Low Reactivity: Their chemical stability ensures that they do not react with biological tissues, maintaining the integrity of the sample. Melting Point: The melting range of paraffin wax (a mixture of alkanes) is suitable for embedding tissues, providing a supportive medium that can be easily sectioned.
