Name a common dehydration agent

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Multiple Choice

Name a common dehydration agent

Explanation:
In tissue processing, removing water from the specimen so it can be embedded in paraffin is the dehydration step. The common dehydration agent is alcohol (ethanol) because it is miscible with water and with the solvents used next in the sequence, and it can be applied in a graded series (such as 70%, 95%, 100%) to gradually replace water without damaging the tissue. As water is replaced by alcohol, the tissue becomes free of water and ready for clearing with a solvent like xylene, which then allows paraffin infiltration. Water cannot dehydrate; it keeps the tissue hydrated and would hinder embedding. Acetone can be used in some protocols but is less standard in routine processing, and xylene is a clearing agent, not a dehydrant. So, alcohol is the typical dehydration agent.

In tissue processing, removing water from the specimen so it can be embedded in paraffin is the dehydration step. The common dehydration agent is alcohol (ethanol) because it is miscible with water and with the solvents used next in the sequence, and it can be applied in a graded series (such as 70%, 95%, 100%) to gradually replace water without damaging the tissue. As water is replaced by alcohol, the tissue becomes free of water and ready for clearing with a solvent like xylene, which then allows paraffin infiltration. Water cannot dehydrate; it keeps the tissue hydrated and would hinder embedding. Acetone can be used in some protocols but is less standard in routine processing, and xylene is a clearing agent, not a dehydrant. So, alcohol is the typical dehydration agent.

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