Which solvent has low viscosity and clears tissues at 20C?

Prepare for the Histotechnologist Certification Exam with our comprehensive study material. Use flashcards, detailed explanations, and intuitive multiple-choice questions. Boost your test readiness and achieve certification success!

Multiple Choice

Which solvent has low viscosity and clears tissues at 20C?

Explanation:
Focusing on solvents that both penetrate tissue quickly (low viscosity) and clear at room temperature makes toluene the best choice. Its relatively low viscosity compared with xylene means it can move through tissue more readily at 20°C, helping to displace alcohol and render the tissue transparent for paraffin infiltration. Xylene, while a traditional clearing agent, is more viscous and penetrates a bit slower. Acetone and methanol have very low viscosity but are not as effective for clearing tissue and preparing it for paraffin embedding at room temperature, as they can be too aggressive or miscible with residual solvents. So, toluene best meets the dual criteria of low viscosity and effective clearing at 20°C.

Focusing on solvents that both penetrate tissue quickly (low viscosity) and clear at room temperature makes toluene the best choice. Its relatively low viscosity compared with xylene means it can move through tissue more readily at 20°C, helping to displace alcohol and render the tissue transparent for paraffin infiltration. Xylene, while a traditional clearing agent, is more viscous and penetrates a bit slower. Acetone and methanol have very low viscosity but are not as effective for clearing tissue and preparing it for paraffin embedding at room temperature, as they can be too aggressive or miscible with residual solvents. So, toluene best meets the dual criteria of low viscosity and effective clearing at 20°C.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy