Scanning electron microscopy in palynology

Muir, M. D.

doi:10.1016/0034-6667(70)90013-8

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…These results suggest that, contrary to the initial optimistic opinions expressed by Lewis et al (1968) and Muir (1970), the use of the ion-etching technique is unlikely to prove of significant value in the examination of subsurface structures, at least for soft biological tissues.…”

Section: O N C L U S I O N Scontrasting

confidence: 76%

The effect of radio‐frequency sputter ion etching and ion‐beam etching on biological material: a scanning electron microscope study

Hodges

Muir²,

Sella

et al. 1972

Journal of Microscopy

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Mammalian and avian cells have been examined in the scanning electron microscope either after prior radio-frequency sputter ion etching with different ions (hydrogen, helium, argon, oxygen) or after argon ion bombardment in the SEM. Whilst the pattern of erosion is similar in the different specimens, the etching pattern varies with the different gases. It has not been possible to relate the etching patterns to characteristic subsurface structures. I N T R O D U C T I O NThe impact of high-energy ions on the surface of a specimen can cause erosion (or 'sputtering') in which atoms are ejected from the surface as a result of the collision process (see Kaminsky, 1965;Thornton, 1968;Kynaston & Paden, 1970). A variety of factors affect the rate at which material is removed from the surface of a specimen and include the ion mass and energy and its angle of incidence onto the specimen surface and the atomic weights and binding energy of the atoms on the specimen surface. As a result, ionic bombardment may lead to a selective etching of the surface and reveal underlying structural features. Methods of producing incident ions include extraction from a radio-frequency ion source and from a glow discharge in low gas pressures. I n ion-beam etching the high energy beam of ionstis restricted to a small area of the specimen, and is aligned in the ' Stereoscan' system by measuring the beam current passing into a Faraday cage situated in place of the specimen. However, under ionic bombardment nonconducting specimens tend to become positively charged resulting in the deflection of other ions with decreased erosion of the charged areas. This can be reduced by the use of radio-frequency sputter ion etching, whereby the accumulated positive charge is neutralized by bombardment, during alternate half cycles, with electrons produced by rapid reversal of the polarity of the discharge electrodes between which the gaseous plasma is formed.Reports in the literature have indicated that the process of physical ion etching

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Section: O N C L U S I O N Scontrasting

confidence: 76%

The effect of radio‐frequency sputter ion etching and ion‐beam etching on biological material: a scanning electron microscope study

Hodges

Muir²,

Sella

et al. 1972

Journal of Microscopy

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“…Surprisingly, TSEM has been essentially ignored in pollen research despite its potential value as a tool for pollen morphology. In a review paper of SEM in palynology, Muir (1970) broached the possibility of using the SEM for TEM -21-23. Jacqueshuberia amplifoliola Cowan (Fabaceae) .-21.…”

Section: Backscatter Electron Imagingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptability of Scanning Electron Microscopy to Studies of Pollen Morphology

Skvarla¹,

Rowley²,

Chissoe³

1988

Aliso

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We have explored methods to achieve excellent results in study of the pollen grain wall by using only one electron microscope, the scanning electron microscope (SEM). While the secondary electron imaging mode , the most common in use, has great value in characterizing the exine surface it is possible to obtain a more comprehensive representation of pollen grain walls by expanding the capability of the secondary mode and mak ing use of backscatter and transmission imaging detectors. In this way information is obtained about internal exine features that are likely to be more stable phylogeneticall y than the generally late-to-form surface structure. We illustrate the usefulness ofnatural and induced fractures, cryornicrotorny, thin-section examination, section deplasticization, localized acetolysis and pollen erosion by ionic bombardment in imaging exine structure. Techniques for expand ing the use of SEM in taxonomic stud ies of mature pollen grain walls are outlined in flow chart sketches and illustrated with numerous examples from angiosperm pollen.

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“…The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a valuable tool in palaeontology for providing three-dimensional images of macro-and microfossils (Hill, 1990;Collinson, 1999). In palaeobotany the first studies using the SEM were carried out in palynology (e.g., Hibbert, 1967;Chaloner, 1968;Taylor, 1968;Drew and Tschudy, 2 1968 ;Heywood, 1969;Muir, 1970), in turn the first SEM studies of plant macrofossils focused on tracheids, lignites and cuticles (e.g., Taylor, 1968;Alvin and Muir, 1969;Taylor and Millay, 1969;Alvin, 1970). Since then, the SEM has become a standard method for studying fossil plant cuticles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The study of cuticular and epidermal features in fossil plant impressions using silicone replicas for scanning electron microscopy

Moisan

2012

Palaeontologia Electronica

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The study of epidermal and cuticular features is crucial in palaeobotanical investigations. In fossil plant impressions organic material is not preserved and cuticular data is commonly believed to be missing. This work describes a redefined version of the silicone cast technique for SEM examination known since almost 40 years, but unfortunately rarely used in routine palaeobotanical studies. The use of silicone (vinylpolysiloxane) instead latex casts offers significant advantages such as easier handling, higher reproduction of surface details, and elimination of electrostatic charge accumulation. The results indicate that silicone represents an improvement over latex. With this technique excellent results can be achieved, possibly making visible several plant surface structures, including epidermal cells, stomata, papillae, trichomes and striations on the rachis. Moreover, this technique demonstrates that impression fossils can provide similar useful data like those seen in compressed fossils. The effectiveness of this technique is demonstrated with several examples of fossil plants from the Triassic Madygen Lagerstätte. The application of this simple, non-destructive and extremely effective technique provides significant biological information on the cuticular and epidermal features in fossil plant impressions despite the absence of cuticles, to resolve taxonomic problems as well as to infer diverse ecological adaptations.

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Scanning electron microscopy in palynology

Cited by 15 publications

References 17 publications

The effect of radio‐frequency sputter ion etching and ion‐beam etching on biological material: a scanning electron microscope study

The effect of radio‐frequency sputter ion etching and ion‐beam etching on biological material: a scanning electron microscope study

Adaptability of Scanning Electron Microscopy to Studies of Pollen Morphology

The study of cuticular and epidermal features in fossil plant impressions using silicone replicas for scanning electron microscopy

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