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Questions and Answers
What is the most important factor for making good sections in microtomy?
What is the primary advantage of using disposable blades in microtomy?
What type of microtome is the Plano-Concave knife typically used with?
What is the characteristic of a Biconcave knife?
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What type of microtome knife is known for its stability and is used for cutting hard objects?
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What is the primary advantage of using a Wedge knife in microtomy?
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What is the typical length of a Biconcave knife?
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What is the material used to make disposable blades?
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Study Notes
Microtome Knives
- Microtome knives are modeled according to the tissue to be sectioned and the embedding medium, making them the greatest single factor for making good sections.
- Knives come in many shapes, sizes, and materials to fit certain microtomes and to cope with different degrees of hardness of tissues and embedding media.
Types of Microtome Knives
- Metal knives:
- Standard steel
- Razor blade
- Non-metal knives:
- Glass
- Diamond
Disposable Blades
- Produce consistently high-quality sections
- Have replaced conventional microtome knives
- Provide a sharp edge for cutting 2-4μm thick sections
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
Types of Microtome Knives (continued)
- Plano concave knife:
- One side of the cutting surface is flat, the other is concave with different degrees of concavity
- Extremely sharp but delicate
- Used for cutting soft samples like nitrocellulose embedded tissues
- The plane surface is closest to the tissue block
- Used with sledge and rotary microtomes
- Biconcave knife:
- Classical knife shape with concavity on both sides
- Introduced by Heiffor
- Used with rocking microtome and sledge microtome
- Length: 100-250mm
- Less rigid and prone to vibration
- Wedge knife:
- Used in all types of microtomes to cut all types of materials
- Both cutting surfaces are plane
- Known as standard profile
- Size: 100-350mm
- Tool edge/Chisel knife:
- Wedge knife with steep cutting edge
- Used for hard objects (undecalcified bone)
- Has a detachable handle (to screw with holder)
- Stable for a long time
- Requires more force to achieve the cut
- Varying lengths available (80mm for freezing microtome, 240mm for base sledge microtome)
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of microtome knives, including their design, materials, and importance in making good sections. Learn about the different types of microtome knives and their uses.
