Chapter 13 Thick and Thin Serial Sectioning for the Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Biological Ultrastructure

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the thick and thin serial sectioning for the three-dimensional reconstruction of biological ultrastructure. Under many circumstances the two-dimensional information obtained from observing numerous nonserial thin sections may be quite adequate. Three-dimensional information concerning the structure and interaction of cells or cell constituents may currently be obtained by one or more methods. It is suggested that to gain specific three-dimensional information concerning the structure and interaction of cells within a tissue or an organ, such cells or cell components must either be totally included in a single section of a practical thickness, or be reconstructed from conventionally stained serial thick or thin sections. Three-dimensional reconstruction from serial sections requires that the image obtained from each section be projected onto a two-dimensional surface. The three-dimensional information obtained by stereo viewing is, therefore, lost, and constituents that overlap within a thick section will appear superimposed when imaged onto a two-dimensional surface. A variety of methods have been introduced in which an uncoated slot grid is used for collecting and mounting the sections. In these procedures a clean slot grid, which has no support film, is positioned so that the slot is over the ribbon in the trough.