Final answer:
To maintain specimen stability during transport, fix solid specimens using chemical or heat methods, store liquid samples at appropriate temperatures (on ice for RNA or frozen for long-term storage), and incubate active cultures as necessary. Always secure the specimens to prevent movement and confusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain the stability of a specimen during transport, several steps should be followed depending on the nature of the specimen. First, if you're dealing with a solid specimen, such as tissues or microorganisms, ensure that you properly fix the specimen using chemical fixatives like formaldehyde or by heat-fixing. Fixation is crucial as it preserves the integrity of the cell structures.
For liquid specimens, such as bacterial cultures or RNA samples, it is imperative to store them at appropriate temperatures. RNA samples should always be stored on ice to prevent degradation. On the other hand, bacterial cultures might need to be frozen at ultra-low temperatures to ensure long-term storage. Ultra-low temperatures are often accomplished with dry ice or liquid nitrogen tanks.
When dealing with active cultures or samples that require growth, like streak plate subcultures, place them in an incubator at the instructed temperature and for the necessary time to maintain short-term temperature stability. For specimens being transported, make sure they are secured in a lab tray or appropriate box to avoid movement that can lead to damage or mix-ups with other samples.