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What are the commonly used chemical fixatives for microscopy?
Posted December 8, 2022
Chemical ReagentsBuffer Preparations and RecipesFixationfixed cells
Answer

There are three types of chemical fixatives that are commonly used for microscopy: 

  1. Cross-linking fixatives: Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde, Osmium Tetroxide, Acrolein
  2. Coagulants: Ethanol (EtOH), Methanol (MeOH)
  3. Acids: Acetic acid, Picric acid
Additional resources
Chemical and physical basics of routine formaldehyde fixation ReadiUse™ 4% formaldehyde fixation solution Buffers and Lab Consumables

What are the differences between formalin and formaldehyde?Is formaldehyde a crosslinking agent?What are the properties of an ideal fixative?What are the factors that will affect the rate and effectiveness of tissue fixation?What are the functions of fixative?