A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.

Annotation

do not confuse with FREEZE FRACTURING (wherein a cryoprotectant is used)

DUI

D005613 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0008835

Previous indexing

Freezing (1966-1968); Histological Techniques (1966-1968); Microscopy, Electron (1966-1968)

History note

73(69)

Public note

73