Monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphates are commonly used to buffer which solution for routine use?

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Multiple Choice

Monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphates are commonly used to buffer which solution for routine use?

Explanation:
Maintaining a neutral pH in fixation solutions is essential for consistent tissue preservation. Monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphates form a phosphate buffer, with the ratio of H2PO4− to HPO4^2− determining the pH. This buffer keeps formaldehyde solution near pH 7, creating neutral buffered formalin. At this pH, fixation proceeds predictably, avoiding acid-induced tissue distortion and better preserving morphology and antigenicity for staining. Other options don’t fit because water purification or alcohol solutions aren’t routinely buffered to neutral pH with a phosphate system for fixation, and an acidic buffering would not provide the stable neutral conditions needed for proper formaldehyde fixation.

Maintaining a neutral pH in fixation solutions is essential for consistent tissue preservation. Monobasic and dibasic sodium phosphates form a phosphate buffer, with the ratio of H2PO4− to HPO4^2− determining the pH. This buffer keeps formaldehyde solution near pH 7, creating neutral buffered formalin. At this pH, fixation proceeds predictably, avoiding acid-induced tissue distortion and better preserving morphology and antigenicity for staining.

Other options don’t fit because water purification or alcohol solutions aren’t routinely buffered to neutral pH with a phosphate system for fixation, and an acidic buffering would not provide the stable neutral conditions needed for proper formaldehyde fixation.

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