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Lecture 1
Technology of Histology
27
Histology
Graduate
08/17/2011

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Term
Cell size
Definition
10-20 micrometers
Term
Bacteria
Definition
1 micrometer
Term
Virus
Definition
0.5 micrometer
Term
Organelles and cellular structures
Definition
5 micrometers - 5 nm
Term
proteins
Definition
5-10 nm
Term
atom
Definition
0.1 nm
Term
TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy)
Definition
Beams of electrons focused by magnets through specimens that have been fixed and stained with heavy metals. Beam passes through unstained area and scatters depending on which area was stained. Can be used to view cells and organelles and evaluate some protein structures. 
Term
SEM (Scanning electron microscopy)
Definition
A beam of electron focuesed by a magnet hits a gold-coated substance which then reflects the electrons back to be captured and converted to an image; can be used to view 3D surface of biological specifmens. 
Term
Phase Contrast Microscopy
Definition
Not a lot of specific structure visibility; uses refraction to give a dark/light constrast to unstained tissue and cells. 
Term
Florescence
Definition
UV light excites a dye *chromaphore* molecule, which re-emits a longer and more specific wavelength. The sample is viewed through a filter on the eyepiece that only permits that specific wavelength to pass. Can be used to localize a specific protein in antibody labeled tissue. 
Term
Bright Field
Definition
Unaltered/non-filtered visible light used to view tissue sections on glass slides. This is the most commonly used form of light microscopy for histology and pathology. 
Term
Frozen Sections
Definition
Tissues are frozen in gelatin and sections are generated with a specialized microtome called a cryostat. Quick but results in poor resolution. 
Term
Paraffin sections
Definition
Tissues are embedded in wax prior to sectioning; gives great resolution because fixation has fixed the molecule, the tissue has been cleared and paraffin fills the spaces where fat once resided. The sections are 5-10 micrometers thick. 
Term
Fixation
Definition
A buffered formaldehyde (formalin--a derivative) preservative fixes molecules and inactivates any enzymatic activity. 
Term
Frozen Tissue: pros/cons
Definition
Does not allow for removal of lipids or fixation of any sort; allows us to view enzymatic activity. Can be rapidly processed but the resolution is poor and cellular shapes cannot be effectively observed. 
Term
Paraffin sections: pros and cons
Definition
Can produce amazing images; however substances are hard to detect and process is slow-going. 
Term
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)
Definition
acid/base reactions allow for uptake of dyes. the colors typically seen are pink for eosin, and dark red/purple/blue for hematoxylin. Generally used across histology and pathology. 
Term
Hematoxylin
Definition
BASIC; stains anything that is acidic--e.g. nucleic acids of the nuclei and ribosomes. Gives a purple/dark red/blue color. 
Term
Eosin
Definition
an ACIDIC dye; labels lysine and arginine-rich proteins (which are basic amino acids)
Term
Trichrome
Definition
3 dyes used together; these will label fibers of extracellular matrix rich in lysine and arginine as well as carbohydrates. Can also label cells enriched in protein and nucleic acids. Will give three distinct colors to specific substances. 
Term
Purple substance when Masson's trichrome is used
Definition
nucleic acids
Term
Blue/Green when treated with Masson's trichrome
Definition
collagen or ground substance
Term
Red when treated with Mason's trichrome
Definition
cellular proteins
Term
Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)
Definition
stains carbohydrates; is very specific and will pretty clearly define glycocalyx and substances with mucus like the goblet cell of the small intestine
Term
osmium
Definition
will label fats in non-cleared tissues, such as those that were frozen. Can be used on adipocytes and myelin sheeth of neurons. 
Term
enzyme histochemistry
Definition
Used to detect classes of enzymes like phosphatases, dehydrogenases, betacalactosidases, and ATPases. These techniques employ modified substrates that are converted to colored products via enzymes. Require frozen tissue that hasn't been cleared. 
Term
Immunohistochemistry
Definition
antibody labeling; can be used to localize specific proteins or carbohydrates within a tissue. Antibodies bind specifically to the proteins or carbohydrates they are made agains; will link with detection molecules like a peroxidase or gold. This is frequently used in diagnostic pathology and can be used with paraffin tissues fixed by formalin; tissue is prepared for electron microscopy. 
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