Heat Fixing

Some staining protocols require smears to be heat fixed prior to staining.

Why heat fix?

• Kills the microbes
• Makes microbes more permeable to stains
• Fixes microbes to slide

Procedure:

Incinerator -- Hold slide approximately 1 cm over the hot barrel for 20-30 seconds.

Bunsen burner -- Pass the slide 2-3 times through the flame.

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