Michigan Histotechnologist Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. In histology, the primary purpose of fixation is to:
A. Enhance tissue staining contrast
B. Increase tissue pliability
C. Preserve tissue morphology and prevent autolysis
D. Dehydrate tissues for embedding
Preservation of tissue structure and prevention of degradation are
the main goals of fixation in histology.
2. Which fixative is most commonly used for routine histologic
examination of surgical specimens?
A. Bouin’s solution
B. 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin
C. Carnoy’s solution
D. Zenker’s solution
10% Neutral Buffered Formalin is the standard fixative for routine
histopathology due to its broad applicability and preservation
quality.
3. The process of embedding tissue in paraffin wax requires prior
dehydration. Which series of reagents correctly represents
dehydration?
A. Alcohol → Xylene → Water
B. Xylene → Alcohol → Paraffin
C. Increasing concentrations of alcohol → Clearing agent → Paraffin
, D. Water → Paraffin → Alcohol
Dehydration always involves ascending alcohol concentrations
followed by a clearing agent before paraffin infiltration.
4. Hematoxylin stains cellular components by binding to:
A. Lipids
B. Nucleic acids (DNA/RNA)
C. Proteins with neutral charge
D. Carbohydrates
Hematoxylin is a basic dye that binds acidic structures like nucleic
acids, staining nuclei.
5. Eosin is classified as a/an:
A. Basic dye
B. Metachromatic dye
C. Acidic dye
D. Neutral stain
Eosin is an acidic dye that binds to basic (eosinophilic) components,
such as cytoplasmic proteins.
6. During microtomy, “chatter” in sections is most often caused by:
A. Dull knife edge
B. Inadequate clearing
C. Tissue not properly infiltrated with paraffin
D. Excessive fixation time
Improper paraffin infiltration causes differential hardness resulting in
chatter.
7. The primary function of a microtome is to:
A. Fix tissue
B. Cut uniform thin sections
C. Stain tissue sections
D. Dehydrate tissue
Microtomes are designed to section paraffin-embedded tissues at
precise thicknesses.
8. Which of the following is a common microtome section thickness for
routine histology?
A. 1–2 mm
B. 3–5 µm
, C. 10–15 µm
D. 50–100 µm
Routine sections are typically cut at 3–5 micrometers for optimal
microscopic evaluation.
9. Decalcification is necessary for:
A. Soft tissues
B. Lymph nodes
C. Bone specimens
D. Skin biopsies
Bone and other calcified tissues require decalcification to allow
sectioning.
10. The reagent most commonly used for decalcification in histology
is:
A. Formalin
B. Alcohol
C. EDTA
D. Hematoxylin
EDTA chelates calcium without overly damaging tissue structure.
11. Tissue processing that results in tissue shrinkage, hardening, and
brittle sections likely indicates:
A. Prolonged fixation
B. Over-dehydration
C. Inadequate clearing
D. Improper staining protocol
Over-dehydrated tissues tend to become extremely hard and brittle.
12. The purpose of mounting media in slide preparation is to:
A. Facilitate staining
B. Preserve stained section and provide optical clarity
C. Dehydrate tissue
D. Fix tissue
Mounting media protects sections and enhances optical properties
for microscopy.
13. A common clearing agent used in histology is:
A. Alcohol
B. Xylene
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. In histology, the primary purpose of fixation is to:
A. Enhance tissue staining contrast
B. Increase tissue pliability
C. Preserve tissue morphology and prevent autolysis
D. Dehydrate tissues for embedding
Preservation of tissue structure and prevention of degradation are
the main goals of fixation in histology.
2. Which fixative is most commonly used for routine histologic
examination of surgical specimens?
A. Bouin’s solution
B. 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin
C. Carnoy’s solution
D. Zenker’s solution
10% Neutral Buffered Formalin is the standard fixative for routine
histopathology due to its broad applicability and preservation
quality.
3. The process of embedding tissue in paraffin wax requires prior
dehydration. Which series of reagents correctly represents
dehydration?
A. Alcohol → Xylene → Water
B. Xylene → Alcohol → Paraffin
C. Increasing concentrations of alcohol → Clearing agent → Paraffin
, D. Water → Paraffin → Alcohol
Dehydration always involves ascending alcohol concentrations
followed by a clearing agent before paraffin infiltration.
4. Hematoxylin stains cellular components by binding to:
A. Lipids
B. Nucleic acids (DNA/RNA)
C. Proteins with neutral charge
D. Carbohydrates
Hematoxylin is a basic dye that binds acidic structures like nucleic
acids, staining nuclei.
5. Eosin is classified as a/an:
A. Basic dye
B. Metachromatic dye
C. Acidic dye
D. Neutral stain
Eosin is an acidic dye that binds to basic (eosinophilic) components,
such as cytoplasmic proteins.
6. During microtomy, “chatter” in sections is most often caused by:
A. Dull knife edge
B. Inadequate clearing
C. Tissue not properly infiltrated with paraffin
D. Excessive fixation time
Improper paraffin infiltration causes differential hardness resulting in
chatter.
7. The primary function of a microtome is to:
A. Fix tissue
B. Cut uniform thin sections
C. Stain tissue sections
D. Dehydrate tissue
Microtomes are designed to section paraffin-embedded tissues at
precise thicknesses.
8. Which of the following is a common microtome section thickness for
routine histology?
A. 1–2 mm
B. 3–5 µm
, C. 10–15 µm
D. 50–100 µm
Routine sections are typically cut at 3–5 micrometers for optimal
microscopic evaluation.
9. Decalcification is necessary for:
A. Soft tissues
B. Lymph nodes
C. Bone specimens
D. Skin biopsies
Bone and other calcified tissues require decalcification to allow
sectioning.
10. The reagent most commonly used for decalcification in histology
is:
A. Formalin
B. Alcohol
C. EDTA
D. Hematoxylin
EDTA chelates calcium without overly damaging tissue structure.
11. Tissue processing that results in tissue shrinkage, hardening, and
brittle sections likely indicates:
A. Prolonged fixation
B. Over-dehydration
C. Inadequate clearing
D. Improper staining protocol
Over-dehydrated tissues tend to become extremely hard and brittle.
12. The purpose of mounting media in slide preparation is to:
A. Facilitate staining
B. Preserve stained section and provide optical clarity
C. Dehydrate tissue
D. Fix tissue
Mounting media protects sections and enhances optical properties
for microscopy.
13. A common clearing agent used in histology is:
A. Alcohol
B. Xylene
