paraformaldehyde
- noun
- /ˌpærəfɔːrˈmælɪˌhaɪd/
- Specialized
- Sectioning and histological staining: Samples were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde for 1 day at room temperature.
- 4% paraformaldehyde
- fixed in paraformaldehyde
- paraformaldehyde-fixed sections
Examples
-
After cultivation for 21 days, the cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde.
Academic text (2018) -
There was no difference noted in the pattern or amount of immunofluorescence between the paraformaldehyde preparation and the acetone preparation.
Academic text (2010) -
Biopsies were taken and fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde.
Academic text (2004) -
Glioma tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin.
Academic text (2016) -
The samples were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight, dehydrated, cleared, and embedded in paraffin.
Academic text (2013) -
Whole DRGs were obtained from 4% paraformaldehyde-perfused adult Wistar rats.
Academic text (2016) -
Nasal turbinate tissue was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and paraffin sectioned.
Academic text (1998) -
Mammary glands and solid tumors were removed and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 72 hours and then 70% ethanol.
Academic text (2017) -
NK cells were collected and fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde for 5 minutes at room temperature, and the reaction was quenched by the addition of 0.125M glycine.
Academic text (2017) -
Cells were then washed three times with culture medium and fixed with paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes.
Synonyms
A colorless poisonous gas with a strong smell used to preserve things like lab samples and make chemicals
A liquid of water and formaldehyde used to kill germs and keep dead animals or plants for study
Surface Forms
Morphology
paraformaldehyde = formaldehyde (opaque) = para + formaldehyde
This is a specialized chemical term meaning a polymerized form of formaldehyde, so the meaning is not recoverable for most learners from the visible parts alone.
Etymology
Paraformaldehyde comes from para- meaning 'linked together' or 'alongside' and formaldehyde, the chemical used to preserve tissue. So paraformaldehyde is a white solid made of many formaldehyde parts joined together, which is why labs use it to fix or preserve samples.