Which solvent is used as a dehydrant in tissue processing?

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Multiple Choice

Which solvent is used as a dehydrant in tissue processing?

Explanation:
Dehydration in tissue processing is about removing water from the tissue so it can be infiltrated with paraffin. This is done by moving the tissue through increasing concentrations of a solvent that can mix with water and then be followed by a clearing solvent. Ethyl alcohol fits this role perfectly: it mixes with water and, in a graded series (for example 70%, 90%, 100%), gradually replaces the water inside the tissue. Once the tissue is fully dehydrated in ethanol, it can be cleared with a solvent like xylene and then infiltrated with paraffin. Chloroform and xylene serve other steps (clearing rather than dehydration), and cellodin isn’t used as a dehydrant in standard processing. So ethyl alcohol is the correct choice.

Dehydration in tissue processing is about removing water from the tissue so it can be infiltrated with paraffin. This is done by moving the tissue through increasing concentrations of a solvent that can mix with water and then be followed by a clearing solvent. Ethyl alcohol fits this role perfectly: it mixes with water and, in a graded series (for example 70%, 90%, 100%), gradually replaces the water inside the tissue. Once the tissue is fully dehydrated in ethanol, it can be cleared with a solvent like xylene and then infiltrated with paraffin. Chloroform and xylene serve other steps (clearing rather than dehydration), and cellodin isn’t used as a dehydrant in standard processing. So ethyl alcohol is the correct choice.

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