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High resolution scanning electron microscopy of plant chromosomes

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Abstract

A preparation technique for high resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy of plant chromosomes is described. The technique was optimized to use standard squash preparations of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes from root tips of barley, wheat, and rye. After light microscopic observation and documentation, the same object can be investigated with a 100-fold higher resolution using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Tilting of the specimens provides a three-dimensional insight into chromosomal structures at different stages of condensation and decondensation. With this technique it was possible to document for the first time at high resolution structures such as the centromeric region, the spindle apparatus and the spindle fibre attachment region. The smallest unit of the DNA packed that can be resolved is a “beads on a string”-like structure of the nucleofilament (10–15 nm fibre).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botanisches Institut der Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München, Menzingerstrasse 67, W-8000, München 19, Germany

    G. Wanner, H. Formanek & R. G. Herrmann

  2. Lehrstuhl für Pflanzenbau und Pflanzenzüchtung, TU-München-Weihenstephan, W-8050, Freising, Germany

    R. Martin

Authors
  1. G. Wanner
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  2. H. Formanek
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  3. R. Martin
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  4. R. G. Herrmann
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by D. Schweizer

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Wanner, G., Formanek, H., Martin, R. et al. High resolution scanning electron microscopy of plant chromosomes. Chromosoma 100, 103–109 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418243

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418243

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