Question

Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in?

1) Formalin
2) Ethanol
3) Saline
4) Water

Answer 1

Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in formalin, which is a 37-40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde denatures proteins, rendering them insoluble in water and resistant to bacterial decay, making it ideal for preserving biological specimens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in formalin, which is a 37-40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde denatures proteins, rendering them insoluble in water and resistant to bacterial decay, making it ideal for preserving biological specimens. Formalin is commonly used for preserving tissue samples and in embalming solutions.

Answer 2

Permanent surgical specimens are typically preserved in formalin, an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, due to its protein-denaturing properties that prevent tissue decay.

Step-by-step explanation:

Permanent surgical specimens are usually sent to the pathologist in a solution called formalin, which is a 37% to 40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known for its ability to preserve biological specimens by denaturing proteins, thus rendering them insoluble and resistant to bacterial decay. Its common use in embalming solutions, preserving tissues, and sterilization of materials makes it the preferred fixative for surgical specimens that need to be examined later under a microscope.