Volume determination of human metaphase chromosomes by scanning force microscopy.
The scanning force microscopy (SFM) yields the topography of the investigated surface. A procedure was developed which starts from this three-dimensional information to estimate the volume of a biological specimen. The volume of spread human metaphase chromosomes was determined in air and rehydrated in aqueous buffer. A difference of the determined volume of a air-dried metaphase chromosome set was found compared to values from electron microscopic investigations, and could be correlated with differences in the hydration state of the chromosomes. SFM-based relative volumes of air-dried chromosomes resembles literature data regarding volume range and distribution. Possible application of SFM-based relative volume measurements for chromosome classification purposes is discussed.
Fritzsche
W
W
Iowa State University, Department of Zoology and Genetics, Ames 50011, USA. wfritz@iastate.edu
Henderson
E
E
D000465:Algorithms; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008677:Metaphase; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning