Field emission scanning electron microscopy of plant cells

Abstract

Two basic specimen preparation protocols that allow field emission scanning electron microscope imaging of intracellular structures in a wide range of plants are described. Both protocols depend on freeze fracturing to reveal areas of interest and selective removal of cytosol. Removal of cytosol was achieved either by macerating fixed tissues in a dilute solution of osmium tetroxide after freeze fracturing or by permeabilizing the membranes in saponin before fixation and subsequent freeze fracturing. Images of a variety of intracellular structures including all the main organelles as well as cytoskeletal components are presented. The permeabilization protocol can be combined with immunogold ..