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Microautoradiography of diffusible ions in plant tissues: problems and methods
Author(s) -
Sanderson J.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1972.tb04660.x
Subject(s) - chemistry , ion , cellulose , emulsion , plant tissue , cryostat , biochemistry , biology , botany , physics , superconductivity , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
SUMMARY A procedure for the preparation of autoradiography of diffusible ions in plant tissues is described. Special procedures are necessary to support the tissue, and minimize redistribution of ions during the various stages of the preparation. The principal features of the procedure are: rapid freezing of tissues after harvest; tissue embedding in methyl cellulose; section cutting in the cryostat at −20°C and section mounting onto photographic emulsion at −20°C; photographic exposure at −25°C; and finally development and mounting so that the autoradiograph lies over the section. By comparing the grain densities on autoradiographs of plant sections with autoradiographs prepared from standard sources, of known specific activity, it is possible to evaluate the results quantitatively.