Euparal is a term used in entomology to refer to a synthetic mounting medium used for the preservation and display of insects. The word is spelled with two syllables, /juːˈpærəl/, and it is pronounced as yoo-PAR-uhl. The first syllable, "eu," is pronounced like "you," and the second syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound (as in "cat"). The spelling likely derives from the words "euphoric" and "paraffin," which were the original ingredients used to create the substance.
Euparal is a term that refers to a type of mounting medium commonly used in microscopy. It is a clear, viscous liquid that is utilized to permanently preserve and protect specimens mounted on glass slides for study and observation under a microscope. The word "euparal" is derived from its composition, as it is a mixture of eugenol, a natural compound present in certain essential oils, and a form of paraffin wax.
This mounting medium is particularly favored in the field of entomology, where it is widely used to mount insect specimens for long-term preservation. Euparal offers several advantages as a mounting medium, including its high refractive index, which allows for clearer observation of specimens. Additionally, it has excellent adhesive properties, enabling it to securely affix the specimen to the slide, while at the same time preventing any damage or alteration to the specimen itself.
To use euparal, the specimen is typically placed on a glass slide, and a small amount of the mounting medium is carefully applied over the specimen, ensuring it is fully covered. The slide is then heated slightly to evaporate any excess solvent, leaving a clear, hardened layer that provides a transparent and durable seal around the specimen.
Overall, euparal serves as a crucial tool in the preservation and study of microscopic specimens, offering researchers a reliable method for permanently mounting and protecting specimens for detailed examination under a microscope.
A medium for mounting histological specimens, composed of camsal, sandarac, eucalyptol, and paraldehyde.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "euparal" is a combination of two terms: "eu" and "paral".
1. "Eu" derives from the Greek word "eu", meaning "good" or "well". It is commonly used as a prefix in English to indicate positivity, goodness, or correctness (e.g., euphoria, eulogy, eureka).
2. "Paral" is an abbreviation of the scientific chemical term "Canada Balsam", which is commonly used in microscopy. Canada Balsam refers to a specific resin obtained from the balsam fir tree (Abies balsamea), which is used as a mounting medium for preparing microscope slides. It provides a clear and refractive index-matched material for examining specimens under a microscope.