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The Response of Biological Macromolecules and Supramolecular Structures to the Physics of Specimen Cryopreparation

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Cryotechniques in Biological Electron Microscopy

Abstract

In the preceding chapter we have learned about the problems of freezing and have seen that one of the major problems in cryotechniques is the formation of ice crystals (see Bachmann and Mayer, Chap. 1, this Vol.). Due to their size, they disturb the fine structure of cells (see also Sitte et al., Chap. 4, this Vol.; Moor, Chap. 8, this Vol.). In the present chapter, we consider the problems which we face when we are able to work in vitreous ice, i.e. what happens with biological macromolecules and supramolecular structures. In these considerations we distinguish two levels of resolution: at the highest resolution (1–10nm), we consider conformational changes of macromolecules, particularly of proteins. This resolution is, in general, only achieved with procedures that allow for averaging from identical subunits. At the other level, we consider rearrangements and small aggregations of macromolecules due to the specimen preparation. This is the resolution of 10–20 nm achieved normally with the current methods of preparation of biological material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Mikrobiologie, Biozentrum, Universität Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Edward Kellenberger

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  1. Edward Kellenberger
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany

    Rudolf Alexander Steinbrecht

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Systemphysiologie, Rheinlanddamm 201, D-4600, Dortmund, Germany

    Karl Zierold

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Kellenberger, E. (1987). The Response of Biological Macromolecules and Supramolecular Structures to the Physics of Specimen Cryopreparation. In: Steinbrecht, R.A., Zierold, K. (eds) Cryotechniques in Biological Electron Microscopy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72815-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72815-0_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-72817-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-72815-0

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