Botanical Microtechnique

This book is an essential resource for anyone studying plants at the microscopic level. Providing detailed instructions and illustrations, the author guides the reader through the techniques of botanical microtechnique, from sample preparation to slide mounting. Whether you're a botanist, a student, or simply interested in the natural world, this book is an invaluable guide for those who want to explore the world of plants in greater detail. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Plant microtechnique has generated renewed interest in recent years, due in part to the need for molecular biologists to visualize a gene or gene product in the context of the whole plant. Plant Microtechnique and Microscopy offers uniquely in-depth coverage of this reinvigorated field. Thoroughly covering classical aspects of microscope slide preparation, it goes a step beyond all other available manuals by also documenting the theory and practice of modern applications. The text opens with single-page "Quick Start" protocols that provide students with fundamental instructions to complete eight of the most common microtechnique protocols used today. The following sections cover the theory and practice of microtechnique. The traditional paraffin method is demonstrated by explicit step-by-step protocols, and theoretical background is incorporated to give students the tools required to design their own experiments and to interpret existing results. In addition, modern applications such as methacrylate embedding and sectioning, microwave tissue processing, fluorescence histochemistry, and in situ hybridization are discussed in detail. The manual also contains a definitive chapter on microscopy and describes, in both text and diagrams, the optical principles of techniques such as phase contrast and DIC as well as confocal and deconvolution wide-field microscopy. Appendices on laboratory practice (chemical toxicities, common calculations, and buffer tables), an extensive appendix on optics and its application to the microscope, and an extensive bibliography of over 550 references are also included. Ideal for courses in plant biology, Plant Microtechnique and Microscopy also serves as an indispensable reference for all students of microscopy, histology, and histological technique. It is a valuable addition to every biological laboratory.

A proper understanding of the structural organization of the plant body is essential to any study in plant biology. Experimental studies in vivo and in situ will lead to structural, physiological, and cellular changes of the experimental material. To study macroscopic and microscopic changes, different histological methods and microtechniques can be used as they provide valuable information of the experimental system. In addition, the observed structural changes allow investigators to set hypothesis for further studies based on one’s own observation. Thus, proper selection and utilization of microtechniques are a must for the success of a research program. At present, an up-to-date collection of protocols are not readily available in the literature. The latest work in plant microtechniques was published in 1999 by Ruzin but many others are no longer in print [e.g., Jensen (1964); O’Brien and McCully (1981)]. Furthermore, a majority of published works focus on techniques related to general processing and staining procedures. A comprehensive treatment that encompasses broader applications of microtechniques to other disciplines is lacking [e.g., archeology, wood science, etc.]. There is a need to create a comprehensive volume of botanical methods and protocols which includes traditional and novel techniques that can be used by researchers in plant science and investigators in other disciplines that require plant microtechniques in their research and teaching. This book covers a wide variety of applications and brings them up-to-date to make them understandable and relevant, especially to students using the methods for the first time. It is our intention to create a useful reference for plant histology and related methods that will serve as a foundation for plant scholars, researchers, and teachers in the plant sciences.​