title: Studying Arabidopsis chloroplast structural organisation using transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: Chloroplasts, as well as other, non-photosynthetic types of plastid, are characteristic structures within plant cells. They are relatively large organelles (typically 1-5 μm in diameter), and so can readily be analysed by electron microscopy. Chloroplast structure is remarkably complex, comprising at least six distinct sub-organellar compartments, and is sensitive to developmental changes, environmental effects, and genetic lesions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), therefore, represents a powerful technique for monitoring the effects of various changing parameters or treatments on the development and differentiation of these important organelles. We describe a method for the analysis of Arabidopsis plant material by TEM, primarily for the assessment of plastid ultrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Core Biotechnology Services Electron Microscopy Laboratory, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. sch10@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hyman
authors.forename: R Paul
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Jarvis
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008867:Microtomy; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012015:Reference Standards; D036226:Seedlings / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C005460:uranyl acetate