Skip to main content
Log in

Aspects of the three-dimensional intracellular organization of mesocarp cells as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The osmium-ligand binding technique and scanning electron microscopy have been applied to the study of the three-dimensional organization of mesocarp cells of a mature avocado fruit. Using this approach the mitochondria of the cells appear as elongated, branching structures and the endoplasmic reticulum consists of a complex of tubular strands, vesiculated strands and lamellar sheets. Associations of the endoplasmic reticulum with other organelles are also apparent. It is suggested that this approach provides a valuable means to assess the structural transitions in cell organization that occur during development or with functional changes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, T. F., 1951: Techniques for the preservation of three-dimensional structure in preparing specimens for the electron microscope. Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci.13, 130–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyde, A., Wood, C., 1969: Preparation of animal tissues for surface-scanning electron microscopy. J. Microscopy90, 221–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanker, J. S., Deb, C., Wasserkrug, H. L., Seligman, A. M., 1966: Staining tissue for light and electron microscopy by bridging metals with multidentate ligands. Science152, 1631–1634.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A. L., Fawcett, D. W., 1966: Hypertrophy of the agranular endoplasmic reticulum in hamster liver induced by phenobarital (with a review of the function of this organelle in liver). J. Histochem. Cytochem.14, 215–232.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, R. O., Dekkar, R. A. F., Bluemink, J. G., 1973: Ligand-mediated osmium binding: its application in coating biological specimens for scanning electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res.45, 254–258.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malick, L. E., Wilson, R. B., 1975: Modified thiocarbohydrazide procedure for scanning electron microscopy: Routine use for normal, pathological, or experimental tissues. Stain Tech.50, 265–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morré, D. J., Merritt, W. D., Lembi, C. A., 1971: Connections between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in rat liver and onion stem. Protoplasma73, 43–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —,Mollenhauer, H. H., 1974: The endomembrane concept: a functional integration of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In: Dynamic aspects of plant ultrastructure (Robards, A. W., ed.), pp. 84–137. London: MacGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. R., 1961: The ground substance in the cell. In: The cell (Brachet, J., Mirsky, A. E., eds.), pp. 621–675. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S., 1963: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol.17, 208–212.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, A. M., Wasserkrug, H. L., Hanker, J. S., 1966: A new staining method (OTO) for enhancing contrast of lipid containing membranes and droplets in osmium tetroxidefixed tissue with osmiophilic thiocarbohydrazide (TCH). J. Cell Biol.30, 424–432.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spurr, A. R., 1969: A low viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res.26, 31–43.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whatley, J. M., 1971: The chloroplasts ofEquisetum telmateia Erhr.: A possible developmental sequence. New Phytol.70, 1095–1102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods, P. S., Ledbetter, M. C., 1976: Cell organelles at uncoated cryofractured surfaces as viewed with the scanning electron microscope. J. Cell Sci.21, 47–58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Platt-Aloia, K.A., Thomson, W.W. Aspects of the three-dimensional intracellular organization of mesocarp cells as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Protoplasma 104, 157–165 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279378

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279378

Keywords

Navigation