HISTOTECHNOLOGY EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE |
ALREADY GRADED A+
What method is used to stabilize proteins making it resistant to further damage? -
ANSWER
Fixation
Name two methods of fixation? -
ANSWER
Chemical reaction (formaldehyde) and physical (heat or dessication)
What are two causes of Post mortem putrefaction if the tissue is not fixed? ***** -
ANSWER
bacteria or mold
What factor causes autolysis if tissue is not fixed? **** -
ANSWER
enzyme attack
What are four functions of fixatives? -
ANSWER
1. kills tissue to prevent putrefaction and autolysis
2. maintains proper relationship between intracellular and extracellular substances
3. preserves refractive indexes
4. enhances stains
What three organs contain the highest levels of enzymes? -
ANSWER
liver, kidney, and brain
True or False. You can over fix tissue? -
, ANSWER
True. Over fixation dries out the tissue and limits the quality. Can attempt steaming the sections to
remedy over fixation.
If you receive a breast sample on a Friday night, what method must be performed to prevent
exceeding the allowed formalin fixation time to perform the Her2 test? -
ANSWER
Must place the tissue in 70% alcohol for one day and then place in formalin the following day.
How quickly does formalin penetrate tissue? -
ANSWER
1 mm per hour
True or False. When fixing a liver specimen, the fixation time should be doubled? -
ANSWER
True. The enzymes found in the cytoplasm need to be fixed well.
What is the name of a fixative that is combined with the protein molecule? Give an example. -
ANSWER
additive fixative
Ex. formaldehyde
What is the name of a fixative that removes water from tissue? Give two examples -
ANSWER
nonadditive fixative.
Ex. alcohol or acetone
At what pH does formaldehyde cross-link the amino groups? -
ANSWER
7.0
Name three factors that influence fixation? -
QUESTIONS CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE |
ALREADY GRADED A+
What method is used to stabilize proteins making it resistant to further damage? -
ANSWER
Fixation
Name two methods of fixation? -
ANSWER
Chemical reaction (formaldehyde) and physical (heat or dessication)
What are two causes of Post mortem putrefaction if the tissue is not fixed? ***** -
ANSWER
bacteria or mold
What factor causes autolysis if tissue is not fixed? **** -
ANSWER
enzyme attack
What are four functions of fixatives? -
ANSWER
1. kills tissue to prevent putrefaction and autolysis
2. maintains proper relationship between intracellular and extracellular substances
3. preserves refractive indexes
4. enhances stains
What three organs contain the highest levels of enzymes? -
ANSWER
liver, kidney, and brain
True or False. You can over fix tissue? -
, ANSWER
True. Over fixation dries out the tissue and limits the quality. Can attempt steaming the sections to
remedy over fixation.
If you receive a breast sample on a Friday night, what method must be performed to prevent
exceeding the allowed formalin fixation time to perform the Her2 test? -
ANSWER
Must place the tissue in 70% alcohol for one day and then place in formalin the following day.
How quickly does formalin penetrate tissue? -
ANSWER
1 mm per hour
True or False. When fixing a liver specimen, the fixation time should be doubled? -
ANSWER
True. The enzymes found in the cytoplasm need to be fixed well.
What is the name of a fixative that is combined with the protein molecule? Give an example. -
ANSWER
additive fixative
Ex. formaldehyde
What is the name of a fixative that removes water from tissue? Give two examples -
ANSWER
nonadditive fixative.
Ex. alcohol or acetone
At what pH does formaldehyde cross-link the amino groups? -
ANSWER
7.0
Name three factors that influence fixation? -
