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Related Concept Videos

Fixation and Sectioning01:03

Fixation and Sectioning

Two basic types of preparation are used to visualize specimens with a light microscope: wet mounts and fixed specimens.
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

The Use of Ex Vivo Whole-organ Imaging and Quantitative Tissue Histology to Determine the Bio-distribution of Fluorescently Labeled Molecules
08:07

The Use of Ex Vivo Whole-organ Imaging and Quantitative Tissue Histology to Determine the Bio-distribution of Fluorescently Labeled Molecules

Published on: December 24, 2016

Freeze-dried, plastic-embedded tissue preparation: a review

F D Ingram, M J Ingram

    Scanning Electron Microscopy
    |January 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Freeze-dried, plastic-embedded animal tissue offers a versatile method for studying water-soluble compounds. This technique preserves intracellular elements for detailed analysis, though extracellular preservation remains a challenge.

    Area of Science:

    • Biological Sciences
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Microscopy

    Background:

    • Animal soft tissue preparation is crucial for morphological and analytical studies.
    • Traditional methods may not adequately preserve water-soluble constituents.
    • Novel preparation techniques are needed to enhance analytical capabilities.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the utility of freeze-dried, plastic-embedded specimens for animal soft tissue analysis.
    • To assess the method's effectiveness in preserving intracellular water-soluble constituents.
    • To identify advantages and limitations for various analytical techniques.

    Main Methods:

    • Specimen preparation involved rapid freezing, freeze-drying, osmic acid vapor fixation, and epoxy resin embedding.

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

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    The Use of Ex Vivo Whole-organ Imaging and Quantitative Tissue Histology to Determine the Bio-distribution of Fluorescently Labeled Molecules
    08:07

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    Published on: December 24, 2016

    Biological Sample Preparation by High-pressure Freezing, Microwave-assisted Contrast Enhancement, and Minimal Resin Embedding for Volume Imaging
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    Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
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    Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy

    Published on: July 19, 2021

  • Analysis included light and electron microscopy, histochemical procedures, and electron probe microanalysis.
  • Considerations for energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (Si(Li) detectors) and wavelength spectrometers were addressed.

    • Main Results:

    • The method effectively preserves intracellular water-soluble constituents and electrolytes present at cryofixation.
    • Embedded samples are stable for long-term storage and compatible with various staining and analytical techniques.
    • A significant limitation is the poor preservation of extracellular solute distribution.

    Conclusions:

    • Freeze-dried, plastic-embedded tissue is a valuable preparation for quantitative intracellular analysis, particularly for electrolytes.
    • The technique offers advantages for electron probe microanalysis and microscopy but requires careful consideration of embedding material effects.
    • Further optimization may be needed to improve extracellular space preservation.