Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
10:08
Visualization of Candida albicans in the Murine Gastrointestinal Tract Using Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization
Published on: November 5, 2019
Summary
Investigating Candida krusei ultrastructure requires optimal fixation. Rapid freezing and thawing followed by chemical fixation best preserved intracellular details for electron microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy Techniques
Background:
- Candida krusei presents challenges for ultrastructural investigation due to its thick cell wall.
- Effective preservation of intracellular structures is crucial for detailed ultrastructural analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare various chemical fixation and freeze-drying methods for Candida krusei.
- To determine the optimal method for ultrastructural investigation of this yeast genus.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of freeze-drying without chemical fixation.
- Evaluation of potassium permanganate fixation.
- Assessment of glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, and osmium tetroxide treatments.
- Testing rapid freezing (-155°C) and thawing cycles followed by glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixation.
Main Results:
- Freeze-drying alone yielded poor electron density variation.
- Potassium permanganate fixation showed limited penetration and preservation of some components.
- Standard chemical fixatives failed to permeate and preserve intracellular structures effectively.
- A multi-step method involving rapid freezing, thawing, and sequential chemical fixation proved most effective.
Conclusions:
- Standard chemical fixation methods are inadequate for Candida krusei ultrastructure.
- A combination of rapid freeze-thaw cycles and specific chemical fixation (glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide) is recommended.
- This optimized method significantly enhances the preservation of intracellular details for electron microscopy.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Overview of Fungi
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
01:20Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
01:15Antifungal Agents
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...