Glycol methacrylate-embedded tissues are commonly cut with which microtome?

• A. Cryostat
• B. Rotary microtome
• C. Ultramicrotome
• D. Vibratome

Answer: (B)

Glycol methacrylate embedding yields a hard, plastic-like block that is best cut on a rotary microtome. This type of microtome uses a precise, hand-rotated mechanism with a stable stage and a sharp knife, producing uniform thin sections—typically around 1–5 micrometers—for light microscopy. The method relies on a stable, room-temperature cut, which suits resin-embedded blocks like glycol methacrylate.

A cryostat, by contrast, cuts frozen tissue at low temperatures and isn’t used for resin-embedded blocks. An ultramicrotome is designed for ultrathin sections for electron microscopy, far thinner than what's needed for light microscopy. A vibratome cuts thicker sections with a vibrating blade, usually for unfixed or fresh tissue, not resin-embedded blocks.