My Dictionary #1

After the conclusion of my first week of Histology class, I can say I have learned a lot of new words, processes, substances, and chemicals. These are a few that I found unfamiliar, yet interesting.


1. Immunohistochemistry:
A long word to say, but this is a significant part to Histology. A process used to detect proteins in tissue cells by antigens binding to antigens in tissues, immunohistochemistry combines three words together. The words "immuno" refers to antibodies included in this process, while the word "histo" means tissue. This process is mostly used through staining. Immunohistochemical staining can be effectively used in the diagnosis of foreign cells found in tumors.

2. Paraffin:

This is type of wax that is a usually colorless (although it looks white) soft solid which comes from gas, coal, or oil. On the first day of Histology class, I learned about the famous Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain method, which requires paraffin. Paraffin, used as an embedding agent, hardens the tissue so that it can be cut into slices and put onto slides for observation. The picture on the right (1) illustrates a hand put into paraffin mixed in water.



3. Fluorescein
This is the most commonly used dye in immunocytochemistry, which primarily absorbs ultraviolet light and throws out green light. Any antibodies can be put with fluorescein and be applied to tissues on slides to find antigens. This reaction of antibody and antigen can also be used to analyzed and studied with a fluorescence microscope that can give a three-dimensional image of the same tissue. The picture on the left (2) is of fluorescein.

Picture references:
(1) http://diyhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Paraffin-hand-photo.jpg
(2) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Florescein.jpg