Electron Microscope Sample Preparation (Fixation)

The purpose of fixation is twofold: to bring about the rapid cessation of biological activity and to preserve the structure of the cell. Ideally, the colloidal Suspension of the cytoplasm and organelles within a cell is turned into a gel that maintains the spatial relationship of the components while providing sufficient stability for them to survive the solvent action of aqueous buffers, dehydration agents, and plastic resins. There are two main types of fixation: chemical fixation and cryofixation. Chemical fixation is the most popular and easiest-to-use fixation method for bioelectron microscopy.