ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM) OF THE CUTICULAR PIGMENT GLOBULES OF THE QUAIL EGG-SHELL

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of the pigment globules on the surface o f the cuticle layer of the quail egg shell revealed that the dark brow n area showed larger globules among which tiny granules were distribut ed. The light brown area was covered with rather uniform and smaller g lobules. The size of those globules was measured in situ with the AFM. Since samples could be observed without any metallic coating under at mospheric condition, the natural color pattern of the egg shell was pr ecisely identified prior to scanning probe setting.