The volume of the fixative should exceed the volume of the tissue by 1-2 times.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

The important point is having an ample amount of fixative relative to the tissue to ensure complete and uniform fixation. Fixation works by diffusion and chemical reaction from the tissue surface inward, so the fixative must be in excess enough to maintain its effective concentration as it penetrates and to replace fluids released by the tissue.

In practice, the fixative-to-tissue volume is typically much larger than the tissue itself—commonly at least 10:1, and often 20:1 or more, depending on the protocol and tissue size. If the volume is only 1–2 times the tissue volume, the fixative can become depleted near the tissue and penetration becomes incomplete, leading to under-fixation or uneven preservation.

So the statement that the volume of fixative should exceed the tissue volume by only 1–2 times is not correct; the volume needs to be substantially greater to ensure proper fixation across the specimen.