Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Visualization of subsurface structures in cells and tissues by backscattered electron imaging

R P Becker, M Sogard

    Scanning Electron Microscopy
    |January 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary

    Backscattered electron (BE) imaging in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) enhances visualization of heavy metal-stained cellular structures. This technique allows for simultaneous viewing of surface topography and subsurface details, improving biological sample analysis.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Pneumonia Complicating Mild Respiratory Infections.

    Canadian Medical Association journal·2010
    Same author

    Carboxypeptidase M, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, is localized on both the apical and basolateral domains of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

    The Journal of biological chemistry·1999
    Same author

    Emperipolesis of erythroblasts within Kupffer cells during hepatic hemopoiesis in human fetus.

    The Anatomical record·1999
    Same author

    Detection of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (neprilysin) in human hepatocellular carcinomas by immunocytochemistry.

    Anticancer research·1997
    Same author

    Potentiation of the actions of bradykinin by angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors. The role of expressed human bradykinin B2 receptors and angiotensin I-converting enzyme in CHO cells.

    Circulation research·1997
    Same author

    Expression of rat kallikrein and epithelial polarity in transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

    Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)·1995

    Area of Science:

    • Electron Microscopy
    • Cell Biology
    • Materials Science

    Background:

    • Backscattered electrons (BE's) generated during scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging increase with the atomic number of specimen elements.
    • Heavy metal staining significantly enhances BE yield, making stained cellular structures more visible.
    • BE imaging offers a method to visualize structures beneath intact cell surfaces.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the utility of backscattered electron (BE) imaging in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for visualizing selectively stained biological structures.
    • To demonstrate the capability of BE imaging for viewing subsurface cellular components.
    • To present a physical model explaining BE imaging contrast and resolution.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in backscattered electron (BE) imaging mode.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Applied heavy metal staining methods to cell and tissue samples for selective contrast enhancement.
  • Integrated secondary electron imaging (SEI) for concurrent surface topography visualization.

    • Main Results:

    • BE imaging effectively rendered selectively stained cellular and tissue structures visible against unstained backgrounds.
    • Subsurface structures, including organelles like nuclei and mitochondria, were visualized beneath intact cell surfaces.
    • Image contrast and resolution were correlated with stain properties, specimen characteristics, and SEM operating parameters (energy, current).

    Conclusions:

    • Backscattered electron (BE) imaging is a valuable technique in SEM for high-contrast visualization of heavy metal-stained biological specimens.
    • The method enables simultaneous imaging of surface topography and subsurface structures, offering comprehensive morphological insights.
    • Further advancements in BE detectors and image processing hold potential for enhanced subsurface imaging capabilities.