Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Fundamental Technical Elements of Freeze-fracture/Freeze-etch in Biological Electron Microscopy
Published on: September 11, 2014
Scanning transmission electron microscope studies of deep-frozen unfixed muscle correlated with spatial localization
Abstract:
Thin sections of deep-frozen unfixed muscle were studied in a scanning electron microscope modified for transmission imaging and equipped with a "cryostage" for vacuum compatibility of hydrated tissue. With an energy-dispersive x-ray analysis system, intracellular atomic species in the scan beam path were identified by their fluorescent x-rays and spatially localized in correlation with the electron optical image of the microstructure. Marked differences are noted between the ultrastructure of deep-frozen hydrated muscle and that of fixed dehydrated muscle. In frozen muscle, myofibrils appear to be composed of previously undescribed longitudinal structures between 400-1000 A wide ("macromyofilaments"). The usual myofilaments, mitochondria, and sarcoplasmic reticulum were not seen unless the tissue was "fixed" before examination. Fluorescent x-ray analysis of the spatial location of constituent elements clearly identified all elements heavier than Na. Intracellular Cl was relatively higher than expected.
More Related Videos
11:45The CryoAPEX Method for Electron Microscopy Analysis of Membrane Protein Localization Within Ultrastructurally-Preserved Cells
Published on: February 27, 2020
08:32Quantification of Subcellular Glycogen Distribution in Skeletal Muscle Fibers using Transmission Electron Microscopy
Published on: February 7, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Studying the Cytoskeleton
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Immunogold Electron Microscopy
Cryo-electron Microscopy
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...