Safety
Microscopes
Microtomy Troubleshooting
Lab Math
Potpourri
100

This chemical hazard type is represented by a yellow diamond in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond:


Reagent reactivity


100

These factors are used to calculate the total magnification of a light microscope.

Ocular magnification x Objective magnification

100

This is the recommended clearance angle for the microtomy blade

3-8 degrees

100

This is the percentage of 20g of silver nitrate diluted to 100ml

20%

100

This type of microtome is used for paraffin sectioning at Labcorp Greenfield/Madison

Rotary Microtome

200

This pictogram for labeling in the Hazard Communication Standard is optional/not required

Environment


200

This type of microscope lens typically has an objective range of x2.5 to x4

Scanning lens

200

Lab temperature may effect this during sectioning

Ability to form a ribbon

200

This is the °F equivalent to 4°C

39.2°F

200

This is the function or ovens between microtomy and staining and the issue they help prevent

Ovens dry slides and prevent tissues from washing off during staining

300

These would be the next steps taken if formaldehyde monitoring results show a TWA of 0.6 ppm

This result is above the TWA action level 0.5 ppm but less than the maximum allowable TWA. Monitoring must be repeated every 6 months and can cease after 2 consecutive monitorings fall below the action level and STEL (short term exposure limits). The employee must be provided with a medical surveillance program.

300

This microscope can be used to examine substances that are birefringent, doubly refractile, or exhibit anisotropism

Polarizing microscope

300

This may be experienced during sectioning if the clearance angle is to small

Skipped sections, thick/thin sections or compressed/wrinkled

300

This is the grams of solute needed to prepare 500mL of 0.55% potassium metabisulfite

2.75g

300

The microtomy floatation bath should be kept in this temperature range compared to the melting point of embedding paraffin

5-10C below the melting point

400

This is the STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit) for formaldehyde

2.0 ppm

400

This is the light source of a fluorescence microscope

Mercury or halogen lamp

400

How might this microtomy issue be fixed? 

Face slowly/with less micron advances deeper into the block until holes disappear

400

This is the grams needed to prepare a 1 liter, 2M solution of NaCl; atomic weights Na=22.99g and Cl=35.45g

116.88g

400

This is the most common temperature for cryostat sectioning

-20C

Some tissues (brain, liver, spleen, etc) section better at -10C while tissues containing fat require colder temps (ex: -25C)

500

This type of extinguisher should be used on a fire involving electrical equipment

Class C

500

This is the term for the color fringe effect seen around an imagine in light microscopes if the lens isn't corrected for colors

Chromatic aberration

Bonus content:

Achromatic objective: corrects for 2 colors (red & blue) -most routine lab microscopes

Apochromatic objective: corrects for 3 colors and other lens aberrations

500

Name two of three possible causes for "parched earth" artifact 

1. Poor fixation or processing

2. Flotation bath too hot

3. Chilling block with cryo spray

500

This is the grams needed to prepare 200 ml of 0.1N H2SO4 ; atomic weights H=1.00g; S=32.06g; O=16g

0.98g

500

This is the benefit of buffering solutions (like 10% NBF)

Makes them more resistant to pH changes after dilution or adding small amounts of acids/bases

NBF helps prevent formalin pigment in tissues (seen in tissues fixed with acidic formalin)

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