In electrolytic decalcification, the specimen to be decalcified is attached to the anode because calcium ions migrate toward the

• A. cathode
• B. anode
• C. they do not migrate
• D. they migrate toward both electrodes

Answer: (A)

In electrolytic decalcification, ion movement is driven by the electric field. Calcium ions are positively charged, so they migrate toward the cathode, the negative electrode. By attaching the specimen to the anode (positive electrode), calcium is drawn away from the tissue region toward the cathode, facilitating removal of mineral content and enabling decalcification at the sample interface. It wouldn’t migrate toward the anode, nor stay put or move in both directions; the migration is directed to the cathode.