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Cryopreparation of mammalian tissue for X‐ray microanalysis in STEM
Author(s) -
Zierold Karl
Publication year - 1982
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.1365-2818.1982.tb00332.x
Subject(s) - microanalysis , chemistry , biology , materials science , organic chemistry
SUMMARY A cryopreparation technique for studies of ultrastructure and distribution of diffusible elements in biological tissue is described. Electron microscopical contrast and characteristic X‐ray spectra are found to be poor in completely frozen‐hydrated ultrathin cryosections of fresh chemically untreated tissue. Both STEM contrast and detection of characteristic X‐rays are enhanced by careful freeze‐drying in the microscope. Although the ultrastructure is affected by ice crystals, intracellular compartments can be identified by STEM without staining and studied by X‐ray microanalysis.