Which statement is accurate regarding additives to the flotation bath?

• A. Poly-L-lysine is a common additive to the flotation bath.
• B. Poly-L-lysine is not a common additive to the flotation bath.
• C. Poly-L-lysine should be used in the flotation bath at high concentration.
• D. Poly-L-lysine has no effect on flotation bath.

Answer: (B)

The flotation bath is kept as an inert, controlled-temperature medium to rehydrate and lay paraffin sections onto slides without altering their morphology. Poly-L-lysine is a coating used on slides to promote tissue adhesion, not something added to the flotation bath. Introducing it into the bath would change surface chemistry, potentially causing sections to stick to the bath surface or to clump, and could affect staining and morphology. Using it in high concentration would increase these risks. Therefore, poly-L-lysine is not a common additive to the flotation bath.