ISSN:
0138-4988
Keywords:
Life Sciences
;
Life Sciences (general)
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Freeze-fracturing is especially suitable for the investigation of membrane structures. In contrast to ultrathin sectioning, large areas of the membranes are exposed. The true surface of membranes, however, can be seen only after etching (vacuum sublimation of ice) because during fracturing the frozen membrane is split between the two lipid layers. The representation of the hydrophobic region of the membrane reveals particles representing integral membrane proteins or, exceptionally, micelles of membrane lipids. Special structures on microbial membranes are, e.g., regular particle arrangements, invaginations and lipid domains with a periodic pattern of curvatures. There are still many unsolved questions concerning these structures, but the occurrence or the alteration of such structures as well as the density of “etching holes” on the membrane fracture face can be used as indicators for membrane perturbations.
Additional Material:
7 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/abio.370100206
