scholarly journals AN ANALYSIS OF MEMBRANE SURFACE STRUCTURE BY THE FREEZE-ETCHING TECHNIQUE

1976 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39a-45
Author(s):  
S. SENO ◽  
N. OTSUKA ◽  
NAGAYASU OTSUKA ◽  
SHIGETO KANDA ◽  
JUNZO SASAKI
Keyword(s):  
Surface Structure ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Freeze Etching

scholarly journals Freeze-Etching Studies of Human Platelets

Blood ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Hoak
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Plasma Surface ◽  
Fixation Methods ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Freeze Etching ◽  
Normal Human

Abstract The freeze-etching technique was used to study morphologic features of normal human platelets. A well-developed canalicular system was demonstrated within the platelet, with communication to the plasma surface of the platelets and with direct contact of the canaliculi with organelles. Cross-section fractures of granules revealed compartmentalization in some while others appeared homogeneous. Several types of filamentous structures were observed within the matrix of the platelet. Microtubular subfilaments were approximately 80 Å in diameter. Microfilaments were observed in other areas of platelets and had a diameter of 50-70 Å, a size consistent with that described for actinoid filaments. The interior of the platelet membrane contained 85-Å particles, while the membrane surface had a more granular appearance. Earlier morphologic descriptions of platelets prepared by fixation methods have been confirmed and expanded with this technique.

Structures Formed by Cryoprotective Agents Used in Freezc-Etching

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 448-449
Author(s):  
G. G. Cocks ◽  
C. E. Cluthe
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Polyethylene Oxide ◽  
Liquid Nitrogen Temperature ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Structural Constituent ◽  
Cryoprotective Agents ◽  
Quick Freezing ◽  
Freeze Etching ◽  
Fractured Surface

The freeze etching technique is potentially useful for examining dilute solutions or suspensions of macromolecular materials. Quick freezing of aqueous solutions in Freon or propane at or near liquid nitrogen temperature produces relatively large ice crystals and these crystals may damage the structures to be examined. Cryoprotective agents may reduce damage to the specimem, hut their use often results in the formation of a different set of specimem artifacts.In a study of the structure of polyethylene oxide gels glycerol and sucrose were used as cryoprotective agents. The experiments reported here show some of the structures which can appear when these cryoprotective agents are used.Figure 1 shows a fractured surface of a frozen 25% aqueous solution of sucrose. The branches of dendritic ice crystals surrounded hy ice-sucrose eutectic can be seen. When this fractured surface is etched the ice in the dendrites sublimes giving the type of structure shown in Figure 2. The ice-sucrose eutectic etches much more slowly. It is the smooth continuous structural constituent surrounding the branches of the dendrites.

Image enhancement of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane surface structure for atomic force microscopy

1992 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Fritzsche ◽  
A. R. Arevalo ◽  
M. D. Moore ◽  
C. J. Weber ◽  
V. B. Elings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Force Microscopy ◽  
Surface Structure ◽  
Image Enhancement ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Ultrafiltration Membrane ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force

Recent progress in the freeze-etching technique

1971 ◽  
Vol 261 (837) ◽  
pp. 121-131 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Vacuum ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Structural Distortions ◽  
Shadow Casting ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
Freeze Etching ◽  
The One ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Made In

The freeze-etching technique must be improved if structures at the molecular size level are to be seen. The limitations of the technique are discussed here together with the progress made in alleviating them. The vitrification of living specimens is limited by the fact that very high freezing rates are needed. The critical freezing rate can be lowered on the one hand by the introduction of antifreeze agents, on the other hand by the application of high hydrostatic pressure. The fracture process may cause structural distortions in the fracture face of the frozen specimen. The ‘double-replica’ method allows one to evaluate such artefacts and provides an insight into the way that membranes split. During etching there exists the danger of contaminating the fracture faces with condensable gases. Because of specimen temperatures below —110 °C, special care has to be taken in eliminating water vapour from the high vacuum. An improvement in coating freeze-etched specimens has resulted from the application of electron guns for evaporation of the highest melting-point metals. If heat transfer from gun to specimen is reduced to a minimum, Pt, Ir, Ta, W and C can be used for shadow casting. Best results are obtained with Pt-C and Ta-W . With the help of decoration effects Pt-C shadow castings give the most information about the fine structural details of the specimen.

Fine Structure of Swarmers of Cladophora and Chaetomorpha

1971 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 581-601
Author(s):  
D. G. ROBINSON ◽  
R. D. PRESTON
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Cell Wall Synthesis ◽  
Fibrous Layer ◽  
Etching Technique ◽  
Freeze Etching

Naked swarmers of both Cladophora rupestris and Chaetomorpha melagonium have been examined by the freeze-etching technique. The swarmers of Cladophora, collected just after settling, reveal several layers of granules external to the plasmalemma and internal to the so-called ‘fibrous-layer’. Chaetomorpha swarmers collected just before settling show extrusion of vesicles through the plasmalemma. The structures associated with the membranes are discussed in relation to known features of these swarmers already observed by sectioning. The role of granules in the synthesis of cell wall microfibrils is strengthened though the spatial arrangement of the granules seen in this investigation does not completely fulfil the ‘ordered granule’ hypothesis. Description of, and comments on, features related to cell wall synthesis, particularly the Golgi and vacuolar systems, are given.

The Fine-Structural Organization of the Brush Border of Intestinal Epithelial Cells

1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-599
Author(s):  
T. M. MUKHERJEE ◽  
L. A. STAEHELIN
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Brush Border ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
The Core ◽  
Unit Structure ◽  
Terminal Web ◽  
Freeze Etching

The fine structure of the brush border of intestinal epithelial cells of the mouse has been studied with both normal sectioning and freeze-etching techniques. Freeze-etching reveals the plasma membrane of the microvilli as consisting of a continuous layer, that is split during the cleaving process, in which numerous particles, 5-9 nm in diameter, are embedded, while other particle-like structures, with diameters of 7-10 nm, appear attached to the true outer membrane surface. The mucopolysaccharide surface coats of the microvilli show up more clearly in sectioned material than in freeze-etched specimens. Inside each microvillus 2 different filament systems can be demonstrated: (1) bundles of fairly closely packed and straight core microfilaments, which lead into the tip of the microvillus, and (2) short cross-filaments. Under suitable conditions the core microfilaments display a sub-unit structure with a repeating distance of approximately 6 nm. The diameter of a microfilament can vary along its length from 6 to 11 nm. Two strands of globular particles wound helically around each other seem to make up each microfilament. These and other data support the idea that the core microfilaments are actin-like. No substructure has been found on the cross-filaments, which have an orientation approximately radial to the axis of the microvilli and seem to be attached at one end to the core microfilaments and at the other to the inner surface of the microvillous membrane. The interwoven terminal web filaments also show no substructure. They form a continuous flexible platform-like structure into which the bundles of core microfilaments extend. Some terminal web filaments appear attached to the plasma membrane between the microvilli. It is suggested that the core microfilaments represent mechanical supporting elements and that the terminal web and cross-filaments are tensile elements of the brush border. In addition all 3 filament systems may also be involved in possible contractile movements of the microvilli.

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