Recent developments in electron microscopical techniques for studying ion localization in plant cells

This paper reviews recent technical approaches to the study of element localization in plant cells. It is concerned with sample preparation; with the use of electron probe microanalysis in the low temperature scanning electron microscope; with the use of electron energy loss spectrocopy and electron spectroscopic imaging in the transmission electron microscope. Basic principles of instrumentation, special problems during cryopreparation of plant tissues, and the application of these techniques within selected fields of botanical interests are briefly discussed.Abbreviations EDXA Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis - EELS Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry - EPMA Electron Probe Microanalysis - ESEM Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope - ESI Electron Spectroscopic Imaging - HPF High Pressure Freezing - LTSEM Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscope - SEM Scanning Electron Micrsocope - TEM Transmission Electron MicroscopeBotanisches Institut der Tierärztlichen Hochschule HannoverDedicated to Professor André Läuchli on the occasion of his 60th birthday