long question (11)

Question 1

explain the term immunohistochemistry and provide an example as to where to use it

Question 2

what is immunohistochemistry

Answer 2

• combines histology, immunology & biochemistry
• identifies specific tissue components by: specific antigen/antibody reactions & visibly labelled antibodies

Question 3

IHC steps

Answer 3

• tissue processing use ice cold buffers to prevent degradation
• fixation use aldehyde to make links to amino acids that block enzymes
• paraffin blocks enzymes and cross links the amino groups
• water is removed
• paraffin allows thin sections to be cut for cover slips

Question 4

what does IHC do

Answer 4

• can detect target molecules in cell tissues
• can highlight specific cell types in tissue
• can detect target molecules
• use antibodies and substrates to determine pathology in tissues
• makes it possible to see cellular component distribution & localisation within a cell or tissue

Question 5

where to use IHC

Answer 5

• can diagnose benign or malignant tumors
• determine tumor stage and grade
• origin of a metastasis to find the primary tumor site
• using specific tumor markers
• identifying cell types