Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

Which pretreatment method is best for a tissue sample prior to submission?

1. Freezing the sample

2. Partially air drying in a paper bag

3. Washing with water

4. Grinding into powder

The correct answer is: Partially air drying in a paper bag

Partially air drying a tissue sample in a paper bag serves as a recommended pretreatment method prior to submission for analysis. This technique helps to reduce moisture content in the sample, which can be crucial for preventing microbial growth or decay during transport and handling. By air drying, the sample is better preserved, allowing for more accurate analysis results when it is examined in a laboratory setting. Additionally, this treatment minimizes potential contamination or degradation that can occur with fully wet samples or with samples that have not been handled properly. It helps maintain the integrity of the tissue structure, which is essential for many types of analyses that might follow, including chemical assays or microscopy. Other methods, while they may have their uses in different contexts, do not provide the same level of preservation or maintain the sample's integrity as effectively as air drying. For example, freezing can cause cellular structures to rupture, while grinding into powder may lead to loss of the original tissue characteristics essential for accurate analysis.