Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the cassette clamp or block holder in a rotary microtome?
What is the purpose of the cassette clamp or block holder in a rotary microtome?
- To advance the block toward the knife at the specified microns
- To move the block holder either toward the knife or away from the knife
- To adjust the section thickness from 1 to 60 microns
- To hold the paraffin block in place and move up and down with each revolution while the blade is stationary (correct)
Which part of the rotary microtome is used to move the block holder toward or away from the knife?
Which part of the rotary microtome is used to move the block holder toward or away from the knife?
- Coarse hand wheel (correct)
- Cassette clamp
- Advancement hand wheel
- Base
Which rotary microtome part is equipped with a safety lock to prevent accidental movement towards the blade?
Which rotary microtome part is equipped with a safety lock to prevent accidental movement towards the blade?
- Advancement hand wheel (correct)
- Cassette clamp
- Coarse hand wheel
- Base
What is the range of micron settings for section thickness on most rotary microtomes?
What is the range of micron settings for section thickness on most rotary microtomes?
Which part of the rotary microtome ensures that the entire apparatus rests securely?
Which part of the rotary microtome ensures that the entire apparatus rests securely?
What feature allows the microtomist to manipulate the alignment of the tissue block with the blade?
What feature allows the microtomist to manipulate the alignment of the tissue block with the blade?
Study Notes
Rotary Microtome Parts
Cassette Clamp or Block Holder
- Holds the paraffin block in place and moves up and down with each revolution while the blade is stationary.
- May have knobs that allow the user to manipulate the block face in various directions to align the tissue with the blade.
Coarse Hand Wheel
- Moves the block holder towards or away from the knife.
Advancement Hand Wheel
- Turns in one direction to advance the block towards the knife at specified microns.
- Equipped with a safety lock to prevent the wheel from releasing and having the block holder come down towards the blade while a block is inserted or removed.
- The safety lock should be used when not actively sectioning paraffin blocks.
Micron Adjustment
- Allows for section thickness settings ranging from 1 to 60 microns on most microtomes.
Base
- The base on which the entire microtome rests.
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Description
Identify the different components of a rotary microtome, their functions and how they work together to prepare samples for observation.
