Summary
The ratio of cell volume to cell surface area (V/A) has been measured by electron microscopy, for the smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig taenia coli. The extent of shrinkage which occurs during processing for electron microscopy has been estimated using Archimedes' principle. The corrected ratio of V/A is 0.8 μm which is lower than previously published estimates for this tissue. The contribution of the surface vesicles to V/A was not included in the present estimate, but the extra surface area contributed by these organelles would lower V/A even more.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bahr, G. F., Bloom, G., Friberg, U.: Volume changes of tissues in physiological fluids during fixation in osmium tetroxide or formaldehyde and during subsequent treatment. Exp. Cell Res. 12, 342–355 (1957)
Bloom, G., Friberg, U.: Shrinkage during fixation and embedding of histological specimens. Acta morph. neerl.-scand. 1, 12–20 (1956)
Brading, A. F., Widdicombe, J. H.: An estimate of sodium/potassium pump activity and the number of pump sites in the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig taenia coli, using [3H] ouabain. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 288, 235–249 (1974)
Casteels, R.: The relation between the membrane potential and the ion distribution in smooth muscle cells. In: Smooth muscle (eds. E. Bülbring, A. F. Brading, A. W. Jones and T. Tomita), p. 70–99. London: Arnold 1970
Freeman-Narrod, M., Goodford, P. J.: Sodium and potassium content of the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig taenia coli at different temperatures and tensions. J. Physiol (Lond.) 163, 399–410 (1962)
Goodford, P. J.: Ion movements in smooth muscle. In: Membranes and ion transport (ed. E. Bittar), p. 33–74. New York: Wiley 1970
Goodford, P. J., Hermansen, K.: Sodium and potassium movements in the unstriated muscle of the guinea-pig taenia coli. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 158, 426–448 (1961)
Konwiński, M., Abramezuk, J., Barańska, W., Szymkowiak, W.: Size changes of mouse ova during preparation for morphometric studies in the electron microscope. Histochemistry 42, 315–322 (1974)
Rhodin, J. A. G.: Fine structure of vascular walls in mammals with special reference to smooth muscle component. Physiol. Rev. 42, Suppl. 5, 48–81 (1962)
Weibel, E. R., Knight, B. W.: A morphometric study on the thickness of the pulmonary air-blood barrier. J. Cell Biol. 21, 367–384 (1964)
Wootton, G. S.: The relationship between the ultrastructure of smooth muscle and its physiological activity, Ph. D. Thesis University of London 1975
Wootton, G. S., Goodford, P. J.: An association between mitochondria and vesicles in smooth muscle. Cell Tiss. Res. 161, 119–132 (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We should like to thank Miss E. Rahr and Mr. C. Ross for their skilled technical assistance and Mr. D. Field for aid with the statistical analysis of data.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wootton, G.S., Goodford, P.J. The ratio of smooth muscle cell volume to cell surface area measured by electron microscopy with corrections for shrinkage. Cell Tissue Res. 162, 75–82 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223263
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223263