Examination Practice Questions And

Illinois Histotechnologist Licensing Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following fixatives is considered a non-crosslinking

fixative?

• Formalin
• Glutaraldehyde
• Alcohol
• Bouin’s solution

Alcohol preserves tissue primarily by dehydration and protein precipitation rather than forming cross-links.

• What is the primary purpose of using a microtome in histology?
• Staining tissue sections 1 / 4

• Embedding tissue in paraffin
• Cutting thin sections of tissue
• Fixing tissue specimens

The microtome is used to produce thin, uniform tissue sections suitable for microscopic examination.

• Which embedding medium is most commonly used in routine

histology?

• Epoxy resin
• Paraffin
• Gelatin
• Polyethylene glycol

Paraffin is standard due to its ease of infiltration and compatibility with most staining techniques.

• During tissue processing, what is the main function of xylene?
• Dehydration
• Fixation
• Clearing
• Staining

Xylene is used to remove alcohol from tissue and prepare it for paraffin infiltration.

• Hematoxylin stains which part of the cell?
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus 2 / 4

• Mitochondria
• Lipids

Hematoxylin is a basic dye that binds to acidic structures, primarily nucleic acids in the nucleus.

6. Eosin is classified as:

• Basic dye
• Acidic dye
• Neutral dye
• Metachromatic dye

Eosin binds to basic components of the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix, producing pink to red coloration.

• What is the main purpose of decalcification?
• Fix tissue
• Stain tissue
• Remove calcium to allow sectioning
• Dehydrate tissue

Decalcification softens bone or calcified tissues, making them suitable for thin sectioning.

• Which chemical is commonly used as a decalcifying agent?
• Formalin
• Alcohol

C. EDTA

• Xylene 3 / 4

EDTA chelates calcium ions without significantly damaging tissue morphology.

• What is the typical thickness for paraffin sections in routine histology?
• 0.1–1 μm
• 1–2 μm
• 4–6 μm
• 10–15 μm

Sections of 4–6 μm provide optimal visualization of cellular and tissue architecture.

• Which of the following is a common issue caused by improper

tissue fixation?

• Xylene contamination
• Autolysis and poor staining
• Overstaining with hematoxylin
• Paraffin hardening

Poor fixation leads to enzymatic tissue degradation and loss of cellular detail.

• What is the purpose of a buffer in formalin fixative?
• Accelerate fixation
• Dehydrate tissue
• Maintain neutral pH to prevent formalin pigment
• Enhance staining
• / 4