Final answer:
Failing to fix the slide can result in degradation or morphological changes of the specimen, leading to inaccurate observations, and the specimen may not adhere properly to the slide and be lost during staining.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you fail to fix the slide in the context of slide preparation for microscopic observation, you can expect several problems to arise. During slide preparation, fixation refers to the process of preserving the structure of the specimen by killing and attaching cells to the slide. This is typically done using chemicals like formaldehyde or ethanol. Fixation helps to preserve the structural integrity of the sample, prevent decay, and halt any enzymatic processes that might alter the appearance of the cells.
Without proper fixation, the specimen may degrade or change morphology, which can lead to inaccurate observations. This is significant in studies where the morphology of cells and tissues is critical, such as in histology or pathology. In addition, unfixed cells may not adhere properly to the slide and can be washed away during staining, resulting in a loss of material for examination. Thus, fixation is a critical step in slide preparation for obtaining reliable and accurate microscopic images.