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HISTOLOGY / CYTOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST EDITION 2026
Histology / Cytology —Questions
Chapter 1: Introduction to Histology and Microscopy
1. What is histology?
A) Study of tissues
B) Study of cells
C) Study of organs
D) Study of organisms
Answer: A
Rationale: Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
2. What is cytology?
A) Study of cells
B) Study of tissues
C) Study of organs
D) Study of organisms
Answer: A
Rationale: Cytology is the study of the structure and function of cells.
3. What is the purpose of fixation in histology?
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A) Preserves tissue structure
B) Stains tissue
C) Dehydrates tissue
D) Embeds tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixation preserves tissue structure by cross-linking proteins and preventing autolysis.
4. What is the most common fixative used in histology?
A) Formalin
B) Ethanol
C) Acetone
D) Methanol
Answer: A
Rationale: Formalin (10% neutral buffered formalin) is the most common fixative used in
histology.
5. What is the purpose of dehydration in histology?
A) Removes water from tissue
B) Adds water to tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Dehydration removes water from tissue using increasing concentrations of alcohol.
6. What is the purpose of clearing in histology?
A) Removes alcohol from tissue
B) Adds alcohol to tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
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Answer: A
Rationale: Clearing removes alcohol from tissue using a solvent miscible with both alcohol and
paraffin (e.g., xylene).
7. What is the purpose of embedding in histology?
A) Infiltrates tissue with paraffin
B) Removes paraffin from tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Embedding infiltrates tissue with paraffin to provide support for sectioning.
8. What is the purpose of sectioning in histology?
A) Cuts tissue into thin sections
B) Stains tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Embeds tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Sectioning cuts tissue into thin sections (usually 4-5 µm) for microscopic
examination.
9. What is the purpose of staining in histology?
A) Enhances contrast for visualization
B) Preserves tissue
C) Embeds tissue
D) Sectioning tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Staining enhances contrast for visualization of tissue structures.
10. What is the most common stain used in histology?
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A) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
B) Gram stain
C) Acid-fast stain
D) Periodic acid-Schiff
Answer: A
Rationale: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) is the most common stain used in histology.
11. What does hematoxylin stain?
A) Nuclei blue/purple
B) Cytoplasm pink
C) Collagen blue
D) Fat red
Answer: A
Rationale: Hematoxylin is a basic dye that stains nuclei blue/purple.
12. What does eosin stain?
A) Cytoplasm pink
B) Nuclei blue/purple
C) Collagen blue
D) Fat red
Answer: A
Rationale: Eosin is an acidic dye that stains cytoplasm pink.
13. What is the purpose of a cryostat in histology?
A) Cuts frozen sections
B) Cuts paraffin sections
C) Stains sections
D) Embeds sections
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HISTOLOGY / CYTOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST EDITION 2026
Histology / Cytology —Questions
Chapter 1: Introduction to Histology and Microscopy
1. What is histology?
A) Study of tissues
B) Study of cells
C) Study of organs
D) Study of organisms
Answer: A
Rationale: Histology is the study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
2. What is cytology?
A) Study of cells
B) Study of tissues
C) Study of organs
D) Study of organisms
Answer: A
Rationale: Cytology is the study of the structure and function of cells.
3. What is the purpose of fixation in histology?
1|Page
,Page 2 of 58
A) Preserves tissue structure
B) Stains tissue
C) Dehydrates tissue
D) Embeds tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixation preserves tissue structure by cross-linking proteins and preventing autolysis.
4. What is the most common fixative used in histology?
A) Formalin
B) Ethanol
C) Acetone
D) Methanol
Answer: A
Rationale: Formalin (10% neutral buffered formalin) is the most common fixative used in
histology.
5. What is the purpose of dehydration in histology?
A) Removes water from tissue
B) Adds water to tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Dehydration removes water from tissue using increasing concentrations of alcohol.
6. What is the purpose of clearing in histology?
A) Removes alcohol from tissue
B) Adds alcohol to tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
2|Page
,Page 3 of 58
Answer: A
Rationale: Clearing removes alcohol from tissue using a solvent miscible with both alcohol and
paraffin (e.g., xylene).
7. What is the purpose of embedding in histology?
A) Infiltrates tissue with paraffin
B) Removes paraffin from tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Stains tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Embedding infiltrates tissue with paraffin to provide support for sectioning.
8. What is the purpose of sectioning in histology?
A) Cuts tissue into thin sections
B) Stains tissue
C) Preserves tissue
D) Embeds tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Sectioning cuts tissue into thin sections (usually 4-5 µm) for microscopic
examination.
9. What is the purpose of staining in histology?
A) Enhances contrast for visualization
B) Preserves tissue
C) Embeds tissue
D) Sectioning tissue
Answer: A
Rationale: Staining enhances contrast for visualization of tissue structures.
10. What is the most common stain used in histology?
3|Page
, Page 4 of 58
A) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
B) Gram stain
C) Acid-fast stain
D) Periodic acid-Schiff
Answer: A
Rationale: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) is the most common stain used in histology.
11. What does hematoxylin stain?
A) Nuclei blue/purple
B) Cytoplasm pink
C) Collagen blue
D) Fat red
Answer: A
Rationale: Hematoxylin is a basic dye that stains nuclei blue/purple.
12. What does eosin stain?
A) Cytoplasm pink
B) Nuclei blue/purple
C) Collagen blue
D) Fat red
Answer: A
Rationale: Eosin is an acidic dye that stains cytoplasm pink.
13. What is the purpose of a cryostat in histology?
A) Cuts frozen sections
B) Cuts paraffin sections
C) Stains sections
D) Embeds sections
4|Page
