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Understanding the artefact problem in freeze‐fracture replication: a review
Author(s) -
Sleytr U. B.,
Robards A. W.
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.tb00361.x
Subject(s) - replication (statistics) , computer science , fracture (geology) , etching (microfabrication) , event (particle physics) , nanotechnology , in vivo , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , physics , paleontology , quantum mechanics , layer (electronics) , virology
SUMMARY Freeze‐fracture and freeze‐etching techniques do not provide artefact‐free images of native in vivo or in vitro cells and tissues. Each preparation stage can produce specific artefacts which must be recognized and understood if these methods are to contribute meaningful information to cell biology. This paper reviews the latest information available on artefacts in freeze‐fracture replication (and etching) methods and points to possibilities for avoiding some of them. Different specimens show different sensitivity to artefactual changes and the final images must be interpreted carefully with regard to the multi‐event process that has led to their production.