Immunohistochemistry: Principles and Applications in Immunology

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a crucial step in the immunohistochemistry tissue staining protocol?

Accepted Answer

Cell culturing

Answer

Tissue fixation

Answer

Tissue processing

Answer

Antigen retrieval

Question 2

What is a key advantage of immunohistochemistry over other immunological techniques?

Accepted Answer

Allows for the visualization of antigen localization within tissue sections

Answer

Provides quantitative data on antigen expression

Answer

Can be used on frozen or formalin-fixed tissues

Answer

Does not require specialized equipment

Question 3

What is the primary function of a chromogen in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

To enable the visualization of the antibody-antigen interaction

Answer

To enhance the signal from the secondary antibody

Answer

To block non-specific antibody binding

Answer

To aid in tissue fixation

Question 4

Which enzyme is commonly employed as part of the secondary detection system in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)

Answer

Alkaline phosphatase

Answer

Beta-galactosidase

Answer

Luciferase

Question 5

Distinguish between direct and indirect immunohistochemistry approaches.

Accepted Answer

Direct immunohistochemistry employs a labeled primary antibody, while indirect immunohistochemistry uses a labeled secondary antibody.

Answer

Direct immunohistochemistry uses a secondary antibody, while indirect immunohistochemistry utilizes a primary antibody.

Answer

Direct immunohistochemistry incorporates a chromogen, while indirect immunohistochemistry includes a fluorophore.

Answer

There is no fundamental difference between direct and indirect immunohistochemistry.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of antigen retrieval in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

To enhance the exposure of hidden epitopes

Answer

To prevent non-specific antibody binding

Answer

To improve antibody penetration

Answer

To protect tissue integrity

Question 7

In immunohistochemistry, the primary antibody specifically binds to:

Accepted Answer

Antigen on the tissue section

Answer

Secondary antibody

Answer

Enzyme label

Answer

Chromogen

Question 8

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a commonly used enzyme in immunohistochemistry because it:

Accepted Answer

Produces a stable and visible reaction product

Answer

Is highly specific for antibodies

Answer

Amplifies the signal generated by the primary antibody

Answer

Enhances the binding of the secondary antibody

Question 9

The primary purpose of using a chromogen in immunohistochemistry is to:

Accepted Answer

Produce a visible reaction product

Answer

Enhance antibody binding

Answer

Block non-specific staining

Answer

Amplify the signal

Question 10

Which fixation method is most suitable for preserving protein antigens in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Paraformaldehyde

Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Acetone

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a potential source of non-specific staining in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Appropriate antibody concentration

Answer

Endogenous peroxidase activity

Answer

Cross-reactivity of antibodies

Answer

Insufficient blocking

Question 12

The most commonly used type of microscope for visualizing immunohistochemistry results is a:

Accepted Answer

Bright-field microscope

Answer

Fluorescence microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Confocal microscope

Question 13

The main purpose of using a counterstain in immunohistochemistry is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide contrast and visualize tissue morphology

Answer

Enhance the signal of the primary antibody

Answer

Block non-specific staining

Answer

Amplify the chromogenic reaction

Question 14

Immunohistochemistry is NOT used for:

Accepted Answer

Forensic analysis

Answer

Localization of specific proteins in cells and tissues

Answer

Diagnostic pathology

Answer

Studying disease pathogenesis

Question 15

The typical thickness of tissue sections used in immunohistochemistry ranges from:

Accepted Answer

2-5 µm

Answer

10-20 µm

Answer

50-100 µm

Answer

200-500 µm

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a common pitfall associated with immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Low specificity of immunohistochemistry

Answer

Non-specific antibody binding leading to false positives

Answer

Insufficient antigen expression or antibody degradation causing false negatives

Answer

Epitope masking hindering antibody accessibility

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a classical immunohistochemistry technique?

Accepted Answer

Electrophoresis

Answer

Immunofluorescence staining

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of employing a secondary antibody in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

To amplify the signal generated by the primary antibody

Answer

To bind directly to the target antigen

Question 19

Which of the below tissue preparation methods is most commonly utilized in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE)

Answer

Fresh-frozen

Question 20

Which of the following factors can influence the specificity of immunohistochemistry staining?

Accepted Answer

Antibody specificity, antigen abundance, and tissue processing

Answer

Time of day the staining is performed

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a typical application of immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis of infectious diseases

Answer

Study of protein expression in embryonic development

Question 22

What is the primary benefit of utilizing chromogenic detection in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

It yields a permanent and visible signal

Answer

It is less expensive than fluorescent detection

Question 23

Which of the following is a limitation of immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

It cannot provide information about protein function

Answer

It requires expensive equipment

Question 24

What is the function of a pathology report in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

To offer an interpretation of the staining results and their clinical significance

Answer

To list the specific antibodies used