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The study of the three‐dimensional structural relationships in connective tissues by high voltage electron microscopy
Author(s) -
Glauert Audrey M.,
Mayo C. R.
Publication year - 1973
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.1365-2818.1973.tb03762.x
Subject(s) - uranyl acetate , staining , vesicle , electron microscope , endoplasmic reticulum , negative stain , chemistry , biophysics , connective tissue , matrix (chemical analysis) , uranyl , membrane , pathology , biology , biochemistry , chromatography , optics , ion , physics , organic chemistry , medicine
SUMMARY An examination of stereo‐electron micrographs taken at 1 MV in an AEI EM7 high voltage electron microscope of sections 0.5–1.0 μm thick has provided three‐dimensional information of the structural relationships in connective tissues. Sufficient contrast is obtained after block staining with uranyl acetate and with prolonged staining of the sections with lead citrate. Selective staining was observed when either the uranyl acetate or lead staining was omitted. Preliminary results indicate that there may be regions of fusion of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane in chondrocytes that are secreting collagen. The observations also suggest that matrix vesicles in regions of calcification are formed from long cytoplasmic processes of osteoblasts by a ‘pinching off’ mechanism and that bone crystallites form within the vesicles only after the vesicles have completely separated from the surrounding cells. It is concluded that the high voltage electron microscope is capable of making a significant contribution to the understanding of the three‐dimensional structural relationships associated with specific biochemical events.