Formalin


 * According to the Mosby's Medical Dictionary, formalin (CH_2O) is a clear solution of formaldehyde in water. Additionally, 37% solution (dilution) is used for fixing and preserving biological specimens for pathologic and histologic examination. Methanol is an essential component of formalin, as it acts as a stabilizer for the highly reactive, colorless solution. McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine further describes formalin as a 37% solution of formaldehyde gas in water, that reacts with the amine groups of proteins and DNA, which acts to disinfect, and when buffered, to denature-"fix" tissues for histologic examination.


 * It is various uses, including acting as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and a fixative for histology. With regards to embalming and the practices that are related to that, formalin (37%) is used for the fixation and preservation of tissues of the body. This is extremely vital and the main reason for the embalming process, to preserve and sanitize the body. Formalin is the key ingredient of the entire embalming process.


 * Formalin is most interesting because of its numerous uses. Not only does it act as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and a fixative for the study tissues, it is also used to treat fungal diseases in fish and foot rot in cows.

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 * Formalin is important to our chemistry class because of its ability react with amine groups of proteins and DNA to preserve tissues in the human body. Its simple, yet complex nature allows us to further understand the relationships among functional groups such as aldehydes and amines.
 * I do not know everything about formalin; however, I will continue to research this topic and learn as much as possible about it and its importance to the embalming process.