Tissue preparation is a crucial process in histology that involves the collection and processing of biological tissues for microscopic examination. The first step typically includes fixing the tissue to preserve its structure and prevent decay. Common fixatives include formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, which help maintain the integrity of cellular components. After fixation, the tissue is dehydrated through a series of alcohol baths, followed by clearing agents like xylene to remove the alcohol. Finally, the tissue is embedded in a solid medium, such as paraffin, allowing thin sections to be cut for staining and analysis under a microscope.