Fixation (histology)

In biology and medicine, especially the pathology, the term fixation, preservation of histological or anatomical specimens. The fixative used are dependent on the continued use of the preparation.

Applications and Methods

When fixing in microscopy ( heat fixation or chemical means ) the specimen is fixed on the glass of the slide. In Bakterienausstrichen they are also largely destroyed. Only then are made dyes, the sample can not ( easily ) be rinsed off. Fixing is always accompanied with a denaturation whereby the autolysis is reduced. The application of the fixing agent in a dead body by infusion or injection in blood vessels, also referred to as perfusion. The act repealing the effects of fixation is referred to as antigen retrieval.

• Preparation technique
• Histological staining
• Cell Biology