Heat and desiccation are forms of fixation.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes only
• D. Not a fixation method

Answer: (A)

Heat and desiccation fix tissues by physical means. Fixation aims to halt enzymatic activity and preserve cellular structure long enough for analysis. Heat fixation works by denaturing proteins and causing them to adhere to the slide or tissue matrix, stabilizing morphology; it is commonly used for cytology smears and some microbiology preparations. Desiccation fixes by removing water, reducing enzymatic activity and stabilizing cellular components through dehydration. While most histology protocols use chemical fixatives, these physical methods are indeed considered forms of fixation. Therefore, the statement is true.