Basic Techniques in Histology: A Comprehensive Guide for Medical Students

Question 1

In histology, which technique is primarily employed to maintain the structural integrity of tissues for microscopic examination?

Accepted Answer

Tissue Embedding

Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Answer

Microdissection

Answer

Cryosectioning

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental step in preparing tissues for histological examination?

Accepted Answer

Imaging

Answer

Fixation

Answer

Embedding

Answer

Staining

Question 3

Which microscopy technique offers the highest resolution and magnification, enabling detailed visualization of cellular and subcellular structures?

Accepted Answer

Electron microscopy

Answer

Light microscopy

Answer

Confocal microscopy

Answer

Fluorescence microscopy

Question 4

What is the optimal thickness for a paraffin-embedded tissue section in routine histological examination?

Accepted Answer

5-7 micrometers

Answer

10-15 micrometers

Answer

20-25 micrometers

Answer

30-35 micrometers

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT considered an essential component of a basic histology laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Flow cytometer

Answer

Microscope

Answer

Tissue processor

Answer

Microtome

Question 6

What is the main purpose of cryostat sectioning in histological tissue preparation?

Accepted Answer

Preparing fresh frozen tissue sections for immediate examination

Answer

Enhancing tissue staining

Answer

Preserving tissue morphology

Answer

Visualizing cell surface markers

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a quality control measure in a histology laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring the application of quality control measures

Answer

Using positive and negative controls

Answer

Regularly maintaining and calibrating equipment

Answer

Participating in proficiency testing with external laboratories

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of fixation in histology?

Accepted Answer

To kill cells and preserve their structure

Answer

To enhance the visibility of cellular components

Answer

To remove excess tissue

Answer

To prepare the tissue for embedding

Question 9

Which of the following staining methods is used to specifically highlight nucleic acids in histological sections?

Accepted Answer

Feulgen reaction

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Oil Red O

Question 10

What is the main function of a microtome in histology?

Accepted Answer

To cut thin sections of tissue for microscopic examination

Answer

To stain tissue sections

Answer

To fix tissue samples

Answer

To embed tissue samples in paraffin

Question 11

Which of the following is **not** a fundamental tissue preparation technique used in histology?

Accepted Answer

Chromatography

Answer

Fixation

Answer

Embedding

Answer

Staining

Question 12

Which type of microscope is typically used for observing thin tissue sections in histology?

Accepted Answer

Brightfield microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Confocal microscope

Answer

Phase contrast microscope

Question 13

What is the role of a cryostat in histology?

Accepted Answer

To freeze tissues for sectioning

Answer

To dehydrate tissues prior to embedding

Answer

To stain tissues for microscopy

Answer

To image tissues using X-rays

Question 14

Which of the following is **not** an advantage of using immunohistochemistry in histology?

Accepted Answer

Low cost and ease of implementation

Answer

High specificity for target antigens

Answer

Ability to visualize multiple antigens simultaneously

Answer

Minimal tissue damage

Question 15

What is the main function of a microtome in histology?

Accepted Answer

To cut thin tissue sections

Answer

To stain tissues for microscopy

Answer

To embed tissues in paraffin

Answer

To image tissues using electron microscopy

Question 16

Which of the following fixatives is commonly used for electron microscopy in histology?

Accepted Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Formalin

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Acetone

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of using a vibratome in histology?

Accepted Answer

To cut thin tissue sections

Answer

To stain tissues for microscopy

Answer

To embed tissues in paraffin

Answer

To image tissues using confocal microscopy

Question 18

Which of the following is **not** a type of microscopy resolution?

Accepted Answer

Contrast

Answer

Lateral

Answer

Axial

Answer

Temporal

Question 19

In the context of tissue preparation for histology, which step is essential to preserve cellular structures?

Accepted Answer

Tissue fixation

Answer

Tissue dehydration

Answer

Tissue staining

Answer

Tissue embedding

Question 20

Which staining method is specifically employed to highlight acidic components within cells?

Accepted Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff

Answer

Hematoxylin-eosin

Answer

Mallory's trichrome

Answer

Congo red

Question 21

What microscopy technique offers the advantage of capturing three-dimensional images of tissue structures?

Accepted Answer

Confocal microscopy

Answer

Bright-field microscopy

Answer

Fluorescence microscopy

Answer

Electron microscopy

Question 22

In histology, what is the primary function of a microtome?

Accepted Answer

Slicing thin tissue sections for examination

Answer

Applying stains to tissue sections

Answer

Embedding tissue specimens for support

Answer

Capturing images of tissue samples

Question 23

What is the intended purpose of using a counterstain in histological procedures?

Accepted Answer

Providing contrasting colors to enhance differentiation of structures

Answer

Specifically highlighting certain cellular components

Answer

Improving the visibility of cell nuclei

Answer

Reducing unwanted background staining

Question 24

Within the realm of histological techniques, what is the primary significance of fixatives?

Accepted Answer

Preserving tissue structure and antigenic characteristics for accurate histological analysis.

Answer

Maintaining tissue morphology without affecting antigenicity.

Answer

Enhancing tissue contrast and facilitating staining methods, but not preserving tissue.

Answer

Fixatives have no significant role in histological procedures.

Question 25

The initial step in preparing a tissue sample for histological examination is:

Accepted Answer

Fixation

Answer

Embedding

Answer

Staining

Answer

Microscopy

Question 26

Which staining technique is commonly employed to visualize cell nuclei specifically?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin-eosin

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff

Answer

Sudan Black B

Answer

Trichrome

Question 27

Which type of microscope is utilized for viewing histological samples?

Accepted Answer

Compound light microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Scanning probe microscope

Answer

Fluorescence microscope

Question 28

A commonly employed fixation method for histological specimens is:

Accepted Answer

Formalin

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Acetic acid

Answer

Chloroform

Question 29

The primary function of counterstaining in histology is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide contrasting background for the primary stain

Answer

Enhance visualization of specific tissue components

Answer

Remove excess primary stain from the tissue

Answer

Preserve the tissue for extended storage

Question 30

The purpose of dehydration in tissue processing is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove water from the tissue

Answer

Soften the tissue

Answer

Prevent freezing of the tissue

Answer

Enhance tissue staining

Question 31

In histological processing, which factor is paramount when selecting a fixative?

Accepted Answer

Tissue type

Answer

Fixation time

Answer

Fixative strength

Answer

Tissue size

Question 32

What is a limitation of employing virtual microscopy in histology?

Accepted Answer

Lower resolution compared to traditional microscopy

Answer

Enhanced convenience and accessibility

Answer

Diminished storage requirements

Answer

Improved objectivity

Question 33

Which of the following is a commonly used chemical fixative in histology?

Accepted Answer

Formaldehyde

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Acetic acid

Question 34

What is the primary purpose of the dehydration step during tissue processing?

Accepted Answer

To remove water from the tissue to prepare it for paraffin embedding.

Answer

To preserve the tissue structure without shrinkage.

Answer

To remove lipids from the tissue.

Question 35

Which staining method is predominantly used for visualizing cell nuclei?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Trichrome

Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Question 36

In histology, what type of microscope is primarily employed for observing tissue specimens?

Accepted Answer

Light microscope

Answer

Confocal microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Scanning probe microscope

Question 37

What is the primary function of a microtome in histology?

Accepted Answer

To create thin sections of tissue for microscopic examination.

Answer

To fix tissue specimens for preservation.

Answer

To apply stains to tissue sections for visualization.

Question 38

Which of the following factors can influence the quality of a histological specimen?

Accepted Answer

Tissue preparation, staining procedure, and microscopy technique

Answer

Type of anesthesia used during the biopsy procedure

Answer

Time of day the biopsy was taken

Answer

Age of the patient

Question 39

What is the primary purpose of using a cryostat in histology?

Accepted Answer

To freeze tissue specimens to facilitate sectioning.

Answer

To examine tissue structures in their natural state.

Answer

To apply stains to tissue sections for visualization.

Answer

To fix tissue specimens for preservation.

Question 40

Which of the following is the primary fixative used in histology to preserve tissue structure and prevent decomposition?

Accepted Answer

Formalin

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Acetic acid

Question 41

The process of embedding tissues in paraffin wax involves three main steps. Which of the following options correctly lists these steps in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

Infiltration, dehydration, and embedding

Answer

Fixation, staining, and mounting

Answer

Microtomy, fixation, and dehydration

Answer

Cryosectioning, staining, and imaging

Question 42

Which staining method is commonly used to demonstrate the presence of nuclei in cells, employing a basic dye (hematoxylin) to stain the nuclei blue and an acidic dye (eosin) to stain the cytoplasm pink?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Answer

Sudan Black B

Question 43

What is the primary purpose of counterstaining in histology, which involves using a second dye after the primary stain?

Accepted Answer

To provide contrast and enhance visualization of specific structures by staining different components of the tissue

Answer

To remove unwanted background staining

Answer

To fix the tissue prior to staining

Question 44

What is the main advantage of using an oil immersion objective in microscopy?

Accepted Answer

To achieve higher magnification and improved resolution by reducing light scattering and increasing light transmission

Answer

To examine thick specimens

Answer

To visualize fluorescent samples

Answer

To reduce glare and improve contrast

Question 45

Which of the following is a major limitation of light microscopy, hindering the ability to visualize fine details?

Accepted Answer

Limited resolution due to the diffraction of light

Answer

Difficulty in visualizing live cells

Answer

High cost

Question 46

What is the primary purpose of tissue clearing in histology, which involves treating the tissue with reagents to make it transparent?

Accepted Answer

To improve light penetration and reduce scattering, enhancing the visibility of internal structures

Answer

To fix the tissue and prevent degradation

Answer

To enhance the visibility of specific structures by selectively staining them

Answer

To remove lipids and other interfering substances

Question 47

What is the fundamental difference between a thick section and a thin section in histology?

Accepted Answer

Thickness

Answer

Microscope used

Answer

Staining method

Answer

Fixation protocol

Question 48

Which of the following fixatives is most commonly utilized for light microscopy and functions by cross-linking proteins?

Accepted Answer

Formalin

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Acetone

Answer

Mercury-based fixatives

Question 49

What is the primary objective of embedding tissue in paraffin wax during histological processing?

Accepted Answer

To provide structural rigidity for thin sectioning

Answer

To facilitate staining of tissue components

Answer

To enhance tissue adherence to slides

Answer

To dehydrate the tissue

Question 50

Which staining technique is best suited for visualizing collagen fibers in a tissue sample?

Accepted Answer

Masson's trichrome

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Von Kossa stain

Question 51

Which type of microscope employs a beam of electrons to generate an image, offering significantly higher resolution compared to light microscopy?

Accepted Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Fluorescence microscope

Answer

Light microscope

Answer

Confocal microscope

Question 52

What is the primary function of xylene during tissue processing for light microscopy?

Accepted Answer

Clearing agent, removes alcohol prior to paraffin embedding

Answer

Dehydrating agent, removes water from the tissue

Answer

Fixative, preserves tissue structure

Question 53

Which of the following is a notable benefit of employing frozen sections in histological analysis?

Accepted Answer

Rapid processing, enabling swift diagnosis

Answer

Enhanced staining clarity for all cellular components

Answer

Superior maintenance of tissue architecture

Question 54

What is the intended purpose of utilizing a microtome in histology?

Accepted Answer

Generating thin tissue sections for microscopic examination

Answer

Embedding tissue samples in paraffin wax

Answer

Staining tissue samples with specific dyes

Question 55

Which staining method is specifically designed to visualize carbohydrates and carbohydrate-rich molecules?

Accepted Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Silver stain

Answer

Oil Red O

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Question 56

Which type of microscopy utilizes a laser beam to scan a specimen and generate a high-resolution, three-dimensional image?

Accepted Answer

Confocal microscopy

Answer

Differential interference contrast microscopy

Answer

Electron microscopy

Answer

Light microscopy