Methanol fixation of plant tissue for Scanning Electron Microscopy improves preservation of tissue morphology and dimensions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is well known that preparation of biological (plant and animal) tissues for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) by chemical fixation and critical point drying results in shrinkage of tissues, often by up to 20-30%, depending on the tissue type and fixation protocol used. We sought to identify a protocol that would preserve tissue size and morphology better than standard chemical fixatives and dehydration regimes. We compared a range of processing techniques by quantifying changes in tissue size and recording details of surface morphology using leaf tissues from three commonly studied species; Arabidopsis thaliana, barley and cotton.

Results

All processing protocols altered tissue dimensions. Methanol fixation and dehydration, followed by a further short (1 h) de

SUBMITTER: Talbot MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3853006 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature