Simplified heavy metal staining techniques demonstrated with Fast Plant leaf tissue

Fast Plant (Brassica rapa, Oruciferae) leaf tissue fixed in glutaraldehyde-acrolein and post-fixed in osmium, was examined for response to several easily-prepared heavy metal stains. Lead and uranium, separately and in combination, gave typical results across the spectrum of cell organellets. As a single stain following osmium, bismuth produced images seemingly equivalent to lead and uranium. Phosphotungstic acid produced very good membrane delineation but produced a washed-out background image similar to that from lead staining. Carbohydrate compounds were especially responsive to ruthenium; the cytoplasm and the matrix of all organelles were also stained very well. The procedures were no more demanding than traditional staining methods and may be easily used in research and teaching. Past Plant materials are a reliable, quick and easy source of living material.