Structure of coupled and uncoupled cell junctions

Cells of Chironomus salivary glands and Malpighian tubules have junctions of the "septate" kind. This is the only kind of junction discerned which is large enough to effect the existing degree of intercellular communication. The electron microscopic observations of the "septate" junction conform to a honeycomb structure, with 80-A-thick electron-opaque walls and 90-A-wide transparent cores, connecting the cellular surface membranes. A projection pattern of light and dark bands (the "septa") with a 150-A periodicity results when the electron beam is directed normal to any set of honeycomb walls. Treatment of the salivary gland cells with media, which interrupt cellular communication (without noticeable alteration of cellular adhesion) by reducing junctional membrane permeability or perijunctional insulation, produces no alterations in the junctional structure discernible in electron micrographs of glutaraldehyde-fixed cell material.

The effect of prefixation on the diameter of chromosome fibers isolated by the Langmuir trough-critical point method

The effect of prefixation on the diameter of chromosome fibers isolated by the Langmuir trough-critical point method has been investigated in several species of plants and animals. In barley, fibers isolated from endosperm without prefixation have an average diameter of between 240 and 250 A, and are similar in dimensions and structure to the chromosome fibers isolated from animals by this method. Chromosome fibers from other tissues of the same plant are smaller in diameter when isolated without prefixation, approximating 200 A. After prefixation in 2% buffered formalin, isolated fibers from the three barley tissues studied are reduced in diameter, to approximately 120-130 A for endosperm and leaflet and to 140 A for root tip. Chromosome fibers isolated from newt erythrocytes also show a significantly reduced diameter after formalin prefixation, to approximately 120 A.