FREEZE SUBSTITUTION Meaning and
Definition
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Freeze substitution is a process used in molecular biology and microscopy techniques to prepare biological samples for examination under an electron microscope. It involves a method of preserving and fixing samples while preserving their ultrastructural features.
In freeze substitution, biological samples are rapidly frozen to incredibly low temperatures, typically below the freezing point of liquid nitrogen or liquid propane. The rapid freezing helps to prevent ice crystal formation, which could damage the sample. Once frozen, the sample is then transferred to a vacuum chamber where it undergoes a process called substitution.
During substitution, the frozen water molecules in the cells are slowly replaced with a fixative solution, typically containing a mixture of organic solvents such as acetone or methanol, as well as other chemicals like formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. The process of substitution allows for the preservation of the sample's ultrastructure, as well as the retention of proteins and other macromolecules within the cells.
Freeze substitution is often employed in electron microscopy studies as it provides a high level of preservation and allows for detailed examination of cellular structures and organelles. This technique has been particularly useful in studying the ultrastructural features of delicate biological materials, such as embryos, tissues, or cells. It is also used to investigate the distribution and localization of specific molecules within a sample. Freeze substitution has therefore become an indispensable tool in the field of molecular biology and electron microscopy.
Common Misspellings for FREEZE SUBSTITUTION
- dreeze substitution
- creeze substitution
- vreeze substitution
- greeze substitution
- treeze substitution
- rreeze substitution
- feeeze substitution
- fdeeze substitution
- ffeeze substitution
- fteeze substitution
- f5eeze substitution
- f4eeze substitution
- frweze substitution
- frseze substitution
- frdeze substitution
- frreze substitution
- fr4eze substitution
- fr3eze substitution
- frewze substitution
- fresze substitution
Etymology of FREEZE SUBSTITUTION
The word "freeze substitution" is a combination of two terms: "freeze" and "substitution".
The term "freeze" in this context refers to the process of rapidly freezing a biological specimen to preserve its integrity and structure. Freezing is commonly used in fields such as biology, medicine, and biochemistry to prevent damage caused by ice crystal formation.
The term "substitution" refers to the replacement or exchange of one component for another. In the context of freeze substitution, it refers to the replacement of frozen water molecules in the specimen with an embedding medium, such as resins or plastics, to provide structural support and enable further processing and analysis.
When combined, "freeze substitution" describes the technique of replacing the frozen water in a specimen with a substitute medium while retaining its structural integrity, thus allowing for subsequent processing, sectioning, and examination under an electron microscope or other techniques.
