What type of cellulose is low viscosity and soluble in equal concentrations of ether and alcohol?

Nitrocellulose is a type of cellulose that is characterized by its low viscosity and solubility in equal concentrations of ether and alcohol. This property is due to its chemical structure, which is modified from cellulose by the introduction of nitrate groups. As a result, nitrocellulose exhibits a unique set of physical and chemical characteristics that make it useful in various applications, including as a medium for embedding biological specimens in histopathology.

In histological techniques, nitrocellulose is typically employed for its ability to create thin sections of tissue that are essential for microscopic examination. Its low viscosity allows for easy manipulation during preparation, and its solubility in both ether and alcohol facilitates the clearing process needed to remove embedding media in preparation for staining.

The other substances listed do not share this specific combination of characteristics as effectively as nitrocellulose does. Celloidin, for example, is a highly viscous compound primarily used for embedding but does not dissolve well in alcohol or ether. Polyethylene glycol has different solubility properties and is typically used in different contexts. Paraffin, while commonly used for tissue embedding, does not dissolve in ether or alcohol to the same degree, making nitrocellulose the superior choice for the properties described in the