Pathology and Lab Medicine for Biological Research - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePathology and Lab Medicine for Biological Research. Answer: Introduction There exist several aims to examine the tissues and cells of human being under the microscope. Biological and medical research is supported by knowledge of the typical structure and the role of cells and tissues, organs and structures (1). The cells and other tissue elements are arranged in recognizable pattern during the normal healthy state. Alteration in structure of the cell is brought by Different chemicals and physical influences that are reflected at microscopic level (1). However, several diseases are featured by common structural and chemical abnormalities which differ from the common state. Sometimes I face difficulties to handle some tissue like Bone due to its hardiness. There are some difficulties to cut it into small pieces. This happens if we do not soak the tissue in decalcifying agent enough time. In RMIT pathology lab, we soak Bone tissue up to 2 days to make soft (2). Steps of preparing tissue There are four steps in histopathology lab that are used in preparing tissue. These are fixation, grossing, processing, embedding and sectioning (1). Fixation This is a significant step in preparing samples for microscopic examination. It aims at preventing decay and preserving cells and tissues in a life-like state (2). This method work by deactivating the activities of the enzymes, killing the microorganisms and hardening the sample, on the other hand, maintaining adequate molecular structure to ensure suitable staining methods to be applied (1). If the fixation is applied immediately after the separation of sample from its main blood supply, there will be better outcome. In addition, in RMIT pathology laboratory, formaldehyde is the main fixative agent which is used for fixing tissues. Before specimens are processed, they should be fixed by immersing them in formalin for 6 to 12 hours Grossing This is a process which is also termed as cut-up and it involves vigilant examination and specimen description in regards to dimensions, appearance and the number of pieces. In the case of larger samples, further dissection should be done in order to come up with representative pieces from relevant regions (1-2). Just, for example, the several samples can be removed from the excision margins of a tumour in order to ensure the very tumour has been entirely detached. If there are small specimens, then all the specimen can be processed. Furthermore, the sampled specimens will be put into the cassettes and on the other hand, batches will be put into the processor of tissue ready for processing through the wax. Processing This is the process where lots of specimens are prepared for automated instrument called tissue processors (2). These devices allow the samples to be penetrated with categorization of different solvents finishing found in the melted paraffin wax. Embedding Embedding is the process where tissues are covered with medium like wax, gelatin or agar. This medium is important in that when it gets solidified, it will offer cover support during process of sectioning (1). Sectioning This is the process where segments are cut using microtone. The paraffin pieces are commonly cut at thickness of 3-5 m. This size makes sure that the one cell thick layers form the section(2). But in RMIT laboratory, the section is usually cut at 4 thick. Staining This is the process where the sectioned specimens are dyed ready for examination using microscope (2). Conclusion In RMIT pathology lab tissues are not diagnose because it is teaching lab, but some tissues that are already diagnosed are examined. For example, we stain liver with Trichrome stain to diagnose viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. Another example is using Hales stain to demonstrate excessive amounts of bile pigment in the liver, which may be found in cases of hepatic or extrahepatic biliary obstruction References Glauert AM, Lewis PR. Biological specimen preparation for transmission electron microscopy. Princeton University Press; 2014 Jul 14. Kierszenbaum AL, Tres L. Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015 May 4.