Computer-Assisted Analysis and Display of Nuclear Structures
Quantitative electron microscopy of cells, organelles, or chromosomes gives information on the numbers, sizes, distribution and organization of the structures in question. In the case of the nucleus, quantitative information can be obtained on nuclear pores, spindle pole bodies, kinetochores, centromeres, microtubules, chromosomes, synaptonemal complexes, and nucleoli. Scanning electron microscopy of fractured specimens and transmission electron microscopy of spread preparations and high voltage TKM can give some of the information, but total information can best be obtained from a complete series of sections of the material. The analysis of photographic records, however, is cumbersome and the relevant information is often not readily visible. In this report some of the methods ia compiling quantitative information on the nucleus and its components are described.