Which clearing agent is listed as derived from cedarwood and used in histology?

• A. Cedarwood oil
• B. Benzene
• C. Limonene derivatives
• D. Dioxane

Answer: (A)

Clearing agents in histology are used after dehydration to make tissue optically transparent and to be miscible with paraffin. Cedarwood oil is a clearing agent derived from cedarwood itself, making it a natural, plant-based option used to replace alcohol in the tissue and prepare it for infiltration with paraffin. This differentiates it from the other choices: benzene is a petroleum-derived, highly toxic solvent; dioxane is a synthetic hazardous solvent; limonene derivatives come from citrus sources, not cedarwood. So the clearing agent that fits the description of being cedarwood-derived is cedarwood oil.