The technique of Z-contrast in STEM offers the possibility to determine the local concentration of macromolecules like lipids, proteins or DNA. Contrast formation depends on the atomic composition of the particular structure. In the case of DNA, its phosphorous content discriminates it from other biological macromolecules. In our studies, sections of E. coli, the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae and Euglena spec. cells were used which were obtained by cryofixation followed by freeze-substitution into acetone with 3% glutaraldehyde. The samples were then embedded either in Lowicryl HM20 at low temperature or in Epon at high temperature. Sections were coated on both sides with 30Å carbon.The DF- and the inelastic image have been recorded simultaneously with a Cryo-STEM. This Cryo-STEM is equipped with a highly dispersive Electron Energy Loss Spectrometer. With this instrument pure Z-contrast can be achieved either with a Filtered DF-image divided by the inelastic image or, as is used in this paper, by dividing the conventional DF-image by an inelastic image which has been recorded with an inelastic detector whose response is dependent on the total energy loss of the inelastically scattered electrons.
