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Related Concept Videos

Plant Tissues01:18

Plant Tissues

Plants are multicellular eukaryotes with tissue systems made of various cell types that carry out specific functions. Different tissues work together to perform a unique function and form an organ. Organs working together form organ systems. Vascular plants have two distinct organ systems: a shoot system and a root system. The shoot system consists of two portions: the vegetative (non-reproductive) parts of the plant, such as the leaves and the stems, and the reproductive parts of the plant,...
Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...
Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Long-term, High-resolution Confocal Time Lapse Imaging of Arabidopsis Cotyledon Epidermis during Germination
12:01

Long-term, High-resolution Confocal Time Lapse Imaging of Arabidopsis Cotyledon Epidermis during Germination

Published on: December 31, 2012

Scanning electron microscopy of developing plant organs.

R H Falk, E M Gifford, E G Cutter

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |June 19, 1970
    PubMed
    Summary

    Direct scanning electron microscopy of plant shoot apices and young leaves offers unprecedented visualization of cellular organization and leaf arrangement without sample preparation. This method reveals intricate details of plant morphology previously unseen.

    Area of Science:

    • Plant Biology
    • Microscopy
    • Morphogenesis

    Background:

    • Traditional methods for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) require extensive sample preparation, including fixation and metal coating.
    • These preparation steps can introduce artifacts and obscure fine structural details of delicate biological specimens.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the feasibility of direct SEM imaging of plant shoot apices and young meristematic leaves.
    • To demonstrate the potential for observing plant morphology without artifact-inducing preparation steps.

    Main Methods:

    • Direct examination of shoot apices and young meristematic leaves using scanning electron microscopy.
    • No prior fixation or metal coating procedures were applied to the samples.

    More Related Videos

    Development of Microfluidic Devices to Study the Elongation Capability of Tip-growing Plant Cells in Extremely Small Spaces
    07:01

    Development of Microfluidic Devices to Study the Elongation Capability of Tip-growing Plant Cells in Extremely Small Spaces

    Published on: May 22, 2018

    Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species
    06:46

    Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

    Published on: March 29, 2019

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

    Long-term, High-resolution Confocal Time Lapse Imaging of Arabidopsis Cotyledon Epidermis during Germination
    12:01

    Long-term, High-resolution Confocal Time Lapse Imaging of Arabidopsis Cotyledon Epidermis during Germination

    Published on: December 31, 2012

    Development of Microfluidic Devices to Study the Elongation Capability of Tip-growing Plant Cells in Extremely Small Spaces
    07:01

    Development of Microfluidic Devices to Study the Elongation Capability of Tip-growing Plant Cells in Extremely Small Spaces

    Published on: May 22, 2018

    Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species
    06:46

    Confocal Live Imaging of Shoot Apical Meristems from Different Plant Species

    Published on: March 29, 2019

    Main Results:

    • Successful visualization of shoot apex form, cellular organization, and leaf arrangement (phyllotaxis).
    • High-resolution imaging revealed intricate details of plant structures.
    • The direct imaging approach preserved the natural state of the specimens.

    Conclusions:

    • Direct SEM is a viable and powerful technique for studying plant shoot apices and young leaves.
    • This method provides novel insights into plant morphogenesis and development.
    • It offers a significant advancement in visualizing delicate plant structures with minimal artifacts.