Introduction to histology

What is the importance of histology

Recognition of microanatomy and alterations associated with disease

what is the overall hierarchy of biological organization

Cells - tissues - organs - organ systems - organisms

What are the major methods of of preparation to visualize histological specimens

Paraffin embedding, staining, microscopy

What are the major steps in paraffin embedding

Cut, fixation, dehydration, clearing, embedding , sectioning, transfer to slide, dry, stain, mount

What is important about step 12.5 in paraffin embedding

Clear and dehydrating the slides so they can uptake the stain.

What is the overall purpose of staining slides

To identify certain molecular characteristics of a cell

What do Fuelgan reaction stains target

DNA and nucleic acids

What do Geimsa stain and wright stains target

Stains for blood cells

What is a tricrome stain

Uses three stains to identify multiple targets within a cell

What is an H & E stain

Routine stain; nuclei appear purple and cytoplasm appears pink

What are basophilic and acidophilic stains

Hematoxylin binds negatively charged molecules - basic

Eosin binds positively charged molecules - acidic

What do vital dyes stains detect

Living or dead cell differentiation

What is immunohistochemistry

Stain used to detect and visualize specific antigens in tissue sections using antibodies specific to those antigens/target proteins

What is the advantage of transmission electron microscopy versus light microscopy

Transmission electron microscopy has better resolution and magnification which allows for better visuals of smaller structures.

What is important to keep in mind when interpreting cells or tissue slides

Gross anatomy, how the slide was cut, stains utilized, and artifacts such as imperfections