What are the general types of fixation?
Posted December 8, 2022
Answer
Fixation can broadly be classified into two general types – Physical and chemical.
Physical fixation techniques include heating, microwaving, and freeze-drying or cryo-preservation. These methods work by denaturing the proteolytic enzyme and preventing autolysis. Physical fixation techniques preserve the sample’s morphology but not its internal structures.
Chemical fixation involves immersing the sample in a fixative that helps to prevent autolysis and preserve the tissues in their original state.
Additional resources
Tissue fixation and the effect of molecular fixatives on downstream staining procedures