| Abstract: | A new preparation method is introduced to reveal intracellular structures in the scanning electron microscope and its application to mitotic cells in root meristems of Vicia faba is demonstrated. The root tips are fixed with a mixture of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde and the fixed tissues are frozen and fractured in liquid nitrogen. They are then incubated successively in dilute solutions of aldehyde (formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde) and osmium tetroxide. By this treatment, the excess cell-matrix is removed from the fractured surface of the cell, and a deep view into the cell-interior can be obtained with the scanning electron microscope. Varied levels of substructure are observed on the surface of chromosomes. |
