ELECTRON CRYOMICROSCOPIES Meaning and
Definition
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Electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) refers to a powerful imaging technique used in structural biology to study the three-dimensional (3D) structure of biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at high resolution. It allows scientists to visualize the intricate details of these molecules without the need for crystallization, which was a significant limitation in other structural determination methods like X-ray crystallography.
Cryo-EM involves flash freezing (vitrification) of the sample, typically in a thin layer of vitreous ice, preserving its native state in a near-native environment. This is achieved by rapidly plunging the sample into liquid ethane or propane at extremely low temperatures using cryogenic techniques. The frozen sample is then transferred to an electron microscope, where it is visualized using a beam of electrons instead of light, which yields higher resolution due to the shorter wavelength of electrons.
Electron cryomicroscopy benefits from advances in technology, such as improved microscope optics, sensitive detectors, and sophisticated image processing algorithms, enabling the capture of high-quality images and reconstruction of 3D structures with high precision. These structures provide crucial insights into the function and behavior of biological macromolecules, aiding in the development of drugs and understanding fundamental biological processes.
The ability of electron cryomicroscopy to reveal the atomic details of cellular components and molecular complexes has revolutionized structural biology, facilitating breakthroughs in understanding the workings of complex biological systems. Due to its versatility and non-destructive nature, electron cryomicroscopy has become a widely used method for elucidating the structure of biological macromolecules, contributing to various fields, including biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology, and drug discovery.
Common Misspellings for ELECTRON CRYOMICROSCOPIES
- wlectron cryomicroscopies
- slectron cryomicroscopies
- dlectron cryomicroscopies
- rlectron cryomicroscopies
- 4lectron cryomicroscopies
- 3lectron cryomicroscopies
- ekectron cryomicroscopies
- epectron cryomicroscopies
- eoectron cryomicroscopies
- elwctron cryomicroscopies
- elsctron cryomicroscopies
- eldctron cryomicroscopies
- elrctron cryomicroscopies
- el4ctron cryomicroscopies
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- elextron cryomicroscopies
- elevtron cryomicroscopies
- eleftron cryomicroscopies
- eledtron cryomicroscopies
- elecrron cryomicroscopies
Etymology of ELECTRON CRYOMICROSCOPIES
The word "Electron Cryomicroscopy" is derived from several components:
1. Electron: The term "electron" stems from the Ancient Greek word "ēlektron" meaning "amber". It was coined by British physicist J.J. Thomson in 1891 to describe the negatively charged particles he discovered during his experiments with cathode rays.
2. Cryo-: This prefix is taken from the Greek word "kryos" meaning "frost" or "icy cold". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to indicate low temperatures or freezing conditions.
3. Microscopy: This word is a combination of the Greek root "mikros" meaning "small" and the suffix "-scopy" meaning "to observe" or "to examine". Microscopy refers to the scientific technique used to view objects or specimens that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
