Spirit Collections

[T.K. Wilson]

Alan Harvey wrote:
> ... could someone explain the difference between
> "fixation" and "preservation"?

See Baker, J.R., 1958. "Principles of Biological Microtechnique", pp.
21-22.  Briefly, "Fixation" is mostly important to the histologist.
It is important to "fix" tissue in as close to a living state as
possible AND prevent any further change, either by autolysis or the
effects of subsequent processing solutions.  "Preservation" is only
to keep the tissue from decay and decomposition.  In museum
collections "preservation" is only required.  However, if microscope
slides are to be made of the tissue, then "fixation" is required
first as the fixing/preservation fluids interact with subsequent
staining.
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Thomas K. Wilson             wilsontk at MUohio.edu
Dept. of Botany
Miami University             ! Miami was a University when
Oxford OH 45056              ! Florida belonged to Spain  !
USA
513.529.4210 office
513.529.4243 fax