🧪 A tissue preservative 🧪 A disinfectant

glutaraldehyde

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A chemical used to preserve and harden tissue samples for study under a microscope

noun
/ɡluːtərˈæl.dɪ.haɪd/

Specialized

: glutaraldehído

In the study, glutaraldehyde was applied to cross-link proteins, ensuring the samples maintained their structural integrity.
fixed in glutaraldehyde

Examples

Afterward, the adhered platelets were fixed at room temperature by adding glutaraldehyde solutions in 2% and 5% concentrations for 2 and 12 hours, respectively.

Academic text (2018)
24-48 h later, cell cultures were fixed with 2% glutaraldehyde and ultra-thin sections prepared for examination by electron microscopy.

Academic text (1991)
The lab technician used glutaraldehyde to preserve the tissue samples for examination under a microscope.
For accurate results, researchers treated the cells with glutaraldehyde before analyzing them under an electron microscope.

Surface Forms

glutaraldehyde singular

glutaraldehydes plural

Morphology

glutaraldehyde = aldehyde (opaque) = glutar + aldehyde

The combining form 'glutar-' is not a standalone English word and the name is a specialist chemical term, so general learners cannot infer its meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Glutaraldehyde comes from glutar- (a five-carbon acid name) plus -aldehyde, like in formaldehyde. The -aldehyde part can 'link' proteins and make tissues firm, which is why glutaraldehyde is used to preserve or 'fix' samples for microscope work.