How are tissues prepared for Electron Microscopy?

How are tissues prepared for Electron Microscopy?

For TEM, samples must be cut into very thin cross-sections. This is to allow electrons to pass right through the sample. After being fixed and dehydrated, samples are embedded in hard resin to make them easier to cut. TEM samples are also treated with heavy metals to increase the level of contrast in the final image.

What is EM in histopathology?

Clinical Electron Microscopy (EM) is a powerful diagnostic tool used to assist in the diagnosis of Kidney Disease, Muscle Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Ciliary Dysfunction, Viral Gastroenteritis, Viral Infections or any disorder that may benefit from the analysis of the fine structures of a biopsy.

What cells Can we see using an electron microscope?

The cell wall, nucleus, vacuoles, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and ribosomes are easily visible in this transmission electron micrograph.

What electron microscopes are used for?

Electron microscopes are used to investigate the ultra structure of a wide range of biological and inorganic specimens including microorganisms, cells, large molecules, biopsy samples, metals, and crystals. Industrially, electron microscopes are often used for quality control and failure analysis.

What is tissue preparation?

Tissue Preparation Before specific staining can occur, tissue samples must undergo preparation through the following stages: Fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning, and sometimes antigen retrieval. In modern histology laboratories, most of these steps are automated.

Why is SEM used?

SEM is widely used to investigate the microstructure and chemistry of a range of materials. The main components of the SEM include a source of electrons, electromagnetic lenses to focus electrons, electron detectors, sample chambers, computers, and displays to view the images (Figure 17).

What are histological features?

Histology, also known as microscopic anatomy or microanatomy, is the branch of biology which studies the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues. Histology is the microscopic counterpart to gross anatomy, which looks at larger structures visible without a microscope.

What does TEM stand for?

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a microscopy technique in which a beam of electrons is transmitted through a specimen to form an image.

Can you see mitochondria under an electron microscope?

Below the basic structure is shown in the same animal cell, on the left viewed with the light microscope, and on the right with the transmission electron microscope. Mitochondria are visible with the light microscope but can’t be seen in detail. Ribosomes are only visible with the electron microscope.