Fixative in Biology

Fixative in Biology: Preservation of Tissue and Cellular Structure

In biology, a fixative is a liquid that plays an important role in maintaining the structure of tissues and cells after the death of an organism. Fixatives are used in various fields of biology, including anatomy and histology, to make preparations for further study.

The main function of the fixative is to prevent post-mortem changes in body tissues. After death, cells and tissues undergo various processes of destruction and degradation, which can lead to the loss of valuable information about the structure and function of the body. Fixatives help prevent these changes and maintain tissue and cellular structure in a state as close to living as possible.

There are many different fixatives that are selected depending on the specific requirements of the study. Some of the most common fixatives include formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, carnosine, and ocetic acid. Each of them has its own characteristics and is used in accordance with the requirements of the study.

The fixation process may involve several steps. Typically, the tissue or organ is placed in fixative immediately after obtaining the sample. The fixative penetrates tissues and cells, hardens and fixes their structure. The slide is then processed to remove the fixative and prepare it for further studies such as staining or histological sectioning.

The use of fixatives in biology has several advantages. Firstly, they make it possible to preserve the anatomical and morphological structure of tissues and cells, which facilitates the study of their structure and function. Secondly, they allow samples to be preserved for a long time, which is especially important for archiving research materials. In addition, fixatives can be used to preserve the original structure of samples before performing various experiments.

However, it should be noted that choosing the right fixative is an important aspect in biology research. Different types of tissues and cells may require different fixatives to best preserve their structure. The wrong choice of fixative can lead to distortion of the sample structure and loss of valuable data.

In conclusion, fixatives play an important role in biological research by ensuring the preservation of tissue and cellular structure after the death of an organism. They preserve valuable information about the structure and function of the body, which contributes to a deeper understanding of biological processes. The correct choice of fixative and proper application of the fixation procedure play a key role in successful biological studies, ensuring reliable and accurate results.

Fixatives in histology are liquids used to preserve the integrity of tissue when tissue is damaged, as well as to prevent deterioration and structural changes. Based on the chemical and physical properties of the substance, they select a certain temperature. Because of this, the use of fixatives largely depends on the degree of impact on the body.

Fixation methods