The problem shown could be corrected by which adjustment?

• A. Tightening the block and blade clamps
• B. Replacing the water bath
• C. Sharpening blade
• D. Changing embedding medium

Answer: (A)

Stability during sectioning is the key idea. When the block or the knife isn’t firmly secured, movement and vibration can occur as the blade advances the tissue. That instability shows up as uneven section thickness, chatter marks, and knife-induced artifacts because the tissue is not being fed smoothly and consistently past the blade. Tightening the block clamps on the stage and the blade clamps on the knife helps eliminate this unwanted movement, producing cleaner, more uniform ribbons and fewer cutting artifacts.

If the problem were due to a dull blade, sharpening would help, but that addresses blade wear rather than mechanical stability. Replacing the water bath or changing embedding medium tackles different issues—floatation conditions or block hardness, respectively—not the stabilization of the cut itself.