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A New Method of Sample Preparation for Scanning Electron Microscope Used to Observe the Structure under Pellicle in Ciliates
Gao Jing1, Zhou Wei2, Qiao Liang1, Chen Ying1, Qiu Zijian1*
1Department of Biology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China; 2The First Senior Middle School, Huludao City, Huludao 125001, China
Abstract: A new method of observing three-dimensional structure under pellicle of ciliates by scanning electron microscope was established. The suitable concentration of KMnO4 was used to fix cell pellicle. The cell bursts and the cytoplasm overflows in the hypotonic solution by adjusting the osmotic pressure of fixative. Then the pellicle peels off and the inside out. After removing the cytoplasm and dehydration， freeze drying and spraying gold， the structure under pellicle was observed by scanning electron microscope in Climacostomum sp.， Paramecium caudatum and Paraurostyla weissei. The result shows that a clearly and stratified three-dimensional images of structure under pellicle can be observed by this method. It could provide a new way for the study on the pellicle of ciliates and other cell memberanes.
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