Whole human female metaphase chromosome from metaphase arrested cell swollen in hypotonic medium and imaged at 1 MeV. This image was taken with a specimen tilt of 45 degrees. Grouped with it is an image of the same area at 55 degrees tilt, providing an oblique stereo view of the chromosome.
Biological Process: Nuclear division
HeLa cells were metaphase-arrested by a 3hr treatment with colcemid, the cells mechanically broken by passage through a 22-gauge needle and exposed to hypotonic 75 mM KCl for 10 min. Samples were fixed with 3:1 methanol:acetic acid, squashed in 45% acetic acid, transferred to a formvar coated grid, critical point dried, and imaged with the Wisconsin HVEM at 1 MeV. See Ris (1978) Preparation of chromatin and chromosomes for electron microscopy. Meth Cell Biol 18:229-246; Ris (1981) Stereoscopic microscopy of chromosomes. Meth Cell Biol 22:77-96.
Author: Hans Ris
Source: The Cell: An Image Library
