Biomaterial Database

Effect of electron microscopy fixation pH on the ultrastructure of soybean protein bodies. 2000

W L Boatright, and K S Kim

Animal Science Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0215, and Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72704, USA. wlboat1@pop.uky.edu

Cotyledon tissues from mature soybeans were systematically prepared for transmission electron microscopy employing fixation buffer pH's of 7.2, 6.4, and 5.6. Tissue fixed at pH 7.2 showed few membrane-bound internal protein body structures. Portions of the same tissue fixed at pH 6.4 revealed numerous membrane-bound crystalloid structures and stacks of membranous sacks. Tissue prepared at pH 5.6 also contained numerous membrane-bound crystalloid structures and examples of membrane-bound globoid structures. This is the first investigation to document the effect of fixation pH on the subcellular structure of soybean protein bodies and the first to show membrane-bound crystalloid or globoid structures in soybeans.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010940	Plant Proteins	Proteins found in plants (flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees, etc.). The concept does not include proteins found in vegetables for which PLANT PROTEINS, DIETARY is available.	Plant Protein,Protein, Plant,Proteins, Plant
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D013025	Glycine max	An annual legume. The SEEDS of this plant are edible and used to produce a variety of SOY FOODS.	Soy Beans,Soybeans,Bean, Soy,Beans, Soy,Soy Bean,Soybean