Combined transmission electron microscopy and X-ray micro-analysis of ultrathin frozen dried sections--an investigation to determine the normal elemental composition of mammalian tissue

High levels of transition metals in dinoflagellate chromosomes

X-ray microanalysis of fixed, sectioned chromosomes of the dinoflagellates Glenodinium foliaceum, Prorocentrum micans and Amphidinium carterae has revealed high levels of iron, nickel, copper and zinc. We report high levels of these transition metals in association with chromosomes in intact eukaryote cells.

Sodium and calcium localization in cells and tissues by precipitation with antimonate: a quantitative study

Komnick's antimonate technique, which was devised to localize Na+ in cells and tissues, was studied quantitatively. Some modifications, as well as its application to Ca2+ localization, were also investigated. We combined measurements of Na+ and Ca2+ retention in plant roots during the various procedures, electron microscopy, autoradiography, and semiquantitative X-ray microanalysis. We were able to show that (at least in barley roots) antimonate does not precipitate at all with Na+, irrespective of the Na+ content of the tissue or the method of antimonate application. (Even during precipitative freeze dissolution or after freeze drying, no Na+ is precipitated.) By means of Komnick's antimonate technique Ca2+ is trapped within the tissue, but only after serious dislocation. Perspectives for reliable localization of diffusible ions in cells and tissues, by precipitation simultaneously with conventional fixations, are bad.

Preparation of biological material for X-ray microanalysis of diffusible elements. I. Rapid freezing of biological tissue in nitrogen slush and preparation of ultrathin frozen sections in the absence of trough liquid

Any method used for the analysis of diffusible elements within a cell should involve conditions which eliminate the redistribution of those elements. Redistribution of diffusible substances is caused by (a) ice damage during freezing, (b) thawing during sectioning, and (c) thawing during handling of sections. To eliminate this sections were cut (a) in the 5-8 micrometer ice crystal free surface layer obtained by freezing in melting nitrogen, (b) at a specimen temperature of 133 K and a knife temperature of 173 K to 153 K, and the temperature of the chamber was kept low by evaporating nitrogen from an extra reservoir inside the chamber, by regulating the output of a foil heater. A grid carrier was designed to simplify the section collection and the sections were affixed on to the grid in a press assembly. The sections were hard and translucent, and showed faint interference colours.

Frozen thin-sections of rapidly forming bone: bone cell ultrastructure

Frozen thin-sections of fresh medullary bone, which had been calcifying for 2 to 4 days, were prepared and examined in the electron microscope. The bone was obtained from male Japanese quail treated with estradiol valerate. Large numbers of 200-800 A electron dense granules, which consisted of 50-75 A subparticles, were seen within mitochondria. A population of electron-dense particles slightly smaller than ribosomes was also observed. Most granules were not present after conventional fixation, dehydration, embedding, sectioning and staining. Oother structures which were visible, also on the basis of their intrinsic electron density, were nuclei with regions which resembled condensed chromatin, ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum. By the use of osmium tetroxide vapor staining, inner and outer membranes and cristae of mitochondria were delineated. Other membranous components were not detected. Since very little loss or dislocation of cell components can occur during the preparation of frozen thin-sections, the micrographs obtained may be a more accurate representation of cell ultrastructure.