Which procedure involves the use of gelatin, particularly when dehydration needs to be avoided?

The procedure that involves the use of gelatin, particularly when dehydration needs to be avoided, is embedding. In the context of histopathology, embedding is the process where tissue samples are infiltrated with a medium to provide support for cutting thin sections for microscopic examination. Gelatin is often used in this process because it has a lower dehydration potential compared to other embedding materials like paraffin. This is particularly beneficial when it is essential to preserve specific cellular components or ensure that the tissue morphology is not compromised due to dehydration.

Utilizing gelatin aids in maintaining the hydration of the tissue, which is critical when the histological features of the sample must be preserved in their native state. This is especially important for delicate or fragile tissues that might otherwise be adversely affected by more rigid embedding mediums that can lead to artifacts or distortion. Therefore, gelatin serves as a suitable choice for embedding when the preservation of hydration levels is a priority.