Experimentally induced modifications in surface morphology of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Observations with scanning electron microscopy /SEM/ were carried out on Ehrlich ascites tumor /EAT/ cells incubated 2 to 4 h at 37 degrees C in hyperosmotic media in the presence and in the absence of serum. It was found that the cells even if maintain spherical shape show significant differences in the architecture of their surface. A need for control observations with SEM of cell surface morphology in biochemical and biophysical research concerning plasma membrane functions and properties is pointed out.