transmission electron microscopy

How are specimens prepared for TEM?

Specimen preparation is a critical step in TEM. The process typically involves the following steps:
1. Fixation: Preserves the biological material using chemical fixatives like glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide.
2. Dehydration: Removes water from the specimen using a series of alcohol or acetone baths.
3. Embedding: The specimen is embedded in a resin block to provide support.
4. Sectioning: Ultra-thin sections (50-100 nm) are cut using an ultramicrotome and collected on a TEM grid.
5. Staining: Sections are stained with heavy metals (e.g., lead citrate, uranyl acetate) to enhance contrast.

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