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Related Concept Videos

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.
Immunogold Electron Microscopy01:20

Immunogold Electron Microscopy

Immunoelectron microscopy utilizes immunogold labeling of endogenous proteins with specific antibodies to detect and localize these proteins in cells and tissues. The procedure provides insights into the distribution and quantification of protein under different stimulation conditions offering clues about their functions. Conjugating highly electron-dense gold particles with primary or secondary antibodies allow antigen detection on and within cells, with high resolution and specificity.
Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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...
Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

Transmission Electron Microscopy

In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400 keV in...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
09:03

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 19, 2021

Artifacts of electron microscopy in cells.

Harold Hillman1

  • 1Unity Laboratory of Applied Neurobiology, 76, Epsom Road, Guildford, Surrey, GUI 2BX, U.K. Harold.hillman@btinternet.com

Physiological Chemistry and Physics and Medical NMR
|October 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Electron microscopy reveals artifacts in cell structures, excluding the Golgi apparatus. This summary details artifacts identified over 30 years and their causes.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microscopy Techniques

Background:

  • Electron microscopy (EM) has been crucial for visualizing cellular ultrastructure.
  • Artifacts can be introduced during sample preparation and imaging, potentially leading to misinterpretations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize artifacts observed via electron microscopy over the past 30 years.
  • To explain the reasons why these observations are considered artifacts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of electron microscopy literature from the last three decades.
  • Analysis of documented artifacts in cellular components.

Main Results:

  • Identified key artifacts in various cellular organelles, with the exception of the Golgi apparatus.
  • Detailed the specific causes and appearances of these artifacts.

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Visualization of Organelles In Situ by Cryo-STEM Tomography
08:37

Visualization of Organelles In Situ by Cryo-STEM Tomography

Published on: June 23, 2023

Miniaturized Sample Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy
09:04

Miniaturized Sample Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 27, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
09:03

Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 19, 2021

Visualization of Organelles In Situ by Cryo-STEM Tomography
08:37

Visualization of Organelles In Situ by Cryo-STEM Tomography

Published on: June 23, 2023

Miniaturized Sample Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy
09:04

Miniaturized Sample Preparation for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 27, 2018

Conclusions:

  • Understanding EM artifacts is critical for accurate interpretation of cellular ultrastructure.
  • Awareness of common artifacts improves the reliability of microscopy-based biological research.