A method for isolating and preparing silica bodies in grasses for scanning electron microscopy.
Silica bodies are discrete deposits of dehydrated silica within epidermal cells. To describe these bodies completely, surrounding organic and unsilicified material must be removed. Methods generally used for isolating and preparing silica bodies were unsuitable for most grass species. An effective method for studying grasses is described here. After ashing the plant tissue, the ash was repeatedly rinsed with HCl in a specialized multiple funnel manifold and collected on Nuclepore filters. In addition, the silica bodies were sonicated for a few minutes to remove any remaining mineral impurities. Compared to conventional procedures, this method has a number of advantages: unsilicified material and mineral impurities were removed effectively, smaller quantities of plant tissue could be used, and the loss of silica bodies was minimized.
Theunissen
J D
JD
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Potchefstroom University for C.H.E., Republic of South Africa.
D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D012822:Silicon Dioxide