Electron Microscopy in Cytology

The electron microscope as a tool for recording structural data at the molecular or supramolecular level will be discussed, particularly in connection with the important demonstration by means of electron microscopy of membranes as the most common type of supramolecular structure in cells. Structural analysis as a technique aiming at collecting information that can shed light on the function of living systems has gained tremendously by extending the range of study to molecular and intramolecular dimensions. Correlation of structure and function will be emphasized. Electron microscopy as applied to the analysis of the circuitry of nervous centers will be discussed. The basic problems involved in the application of electron microscopy to biochemical problems where the biochemical technique is used to analyze problems in cell physiology will be illustrated by proper examples. Some important prospects for future application of electron microscopy in Biology will be mentioned.