THE PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL BASIS FOR PRESERVING CELL STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY AT THE MOLECULAR-LEVEL AND AVAILABLE PREPARATORY METHODS

A method to prepare tissues for electron microscopy based on the kinet ic theory of physical chemistry makes it possible to study the structu re of cells at the molecular level because extensive denaturation of p roteins is avoided in contrast to using conventional preparatory metho ds. The highly ordered arrange ment of mitochondrial enzymes revealed by applying this method is discussed. Low temperature embedding, freez e-substitution, freeze-drying combined with low temperature embedding and freeze-fracturing are evaluated with respect to conditions for pro tein denaturation.