Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (CSEM) in the advancement of functional plant biology: Morphological and anatomical applications

Date

2009

Authors

McCully, Margaret E
Canny, Martin
Huang, Cheng

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Cryo-scanning electron microscopy (CSEM) is reviewed by exploring how the images obtained have changed paradigms of plant functions and interactions with their environment. Its power to arrest and stabilise plant parts in milliseconds, and to preserve them at full hydration for examination at micrometre resolution has changed many views of plant function. For example, it provides the only feasible way of accurately measuring stomatal aperture during active transpiration, and volume and shape changes in guard cells, or examining the contents of laticifers. It has revealed that many xylem conduits contain gas, not liquid, during the day, and that they can be refilled with sap and resume water transport. It has elucidated the management of ice to prevent cell damage in frost tolerant plants and has revealed for the first time inherent biological and physical features of root/soil interactions in the field. CSEM is increasingly used to reveal complementary structural information in studies of metabolism, fungal infection and symbiosis, molecular and genetic analysis.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: Adhesives; Biochemistry; Electron microscopy; Frost resistance; Histology; Hydration; Liquids; Military engineering; Probability density function; Scanning; Scanning electron microscopy; Thickness measurement; Water content; Biopores; Cryo-fixation; Cryo- Biopores; Cryo-fixation; Cryo-planing; Cut flowers; Desiccated tissues; Exudation of liquids; Food microscopy; Frost resistance; Fungal infection; Hydrated tissues; Intercellular spaces; Laticifers; Lichen water content; Mucilage phase change; Mycorrhizas

Citation

Source

Functional Plant Biology

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31