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Questions and Answers
What is the typical thickness of sections cut using an ultramicrotome?
What is the typical thickness of sections cut using an ultramicrotome?
Which type of microtome is suitable for cutting hard materials such as teeth or bones?
Which type of microtome is suitable for cutting hard materials such as teeth or bones?
What is the main advantage of using a laser microtome?
What is the main advantage of using a laser microtome?
What is the primary application of a vibrating microtome?
What is the primary application of a vibrating microtome?
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What is the minimum cut thickness of a saw microtome?
What is the minimum cut thickness of a saw microtome?
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What is the primary purpose of a microtome?
What is the primary purpose of a microtome?
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What type of blade is used to slice hard materials such as bone and teeth for electron microscopy?
What type of blade is used to slice hard materials such as bone and teeth for electron microscopy?
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What is the range of section thickness that can be achieved with a microtome?
What is the range of section thickness that can be achieved with a microtome?
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What type of microtome is typically used for the preparation of large samples embedded in paraffin for biological preparations?
What type of microtome is typically used for the preparation of large samples embedded in paraffin for biological preparations?
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What is the earliest form of microtomy?
What is the earliest form of microtomy?
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Study Notes
Microtome
- A microtome is a device used to cut extremely thin slices of material, known as sections, which are important in science.
- Microtomes are used in microscopy to prepare samples for observation under transmitted light or electron radiation.
- The device uses steel, glass, or diamond blades, depending on the specimen being sliced and the desired thickness of the sections being cut.
Blades
- Steel blades are used to prepare sections of animal or plant tissues for light microscopy histology.
- Glass knives are used to slice sections for light microscopy and to slice very thin sections for electron microscopy.
- Diamond knives are used to slice hard materials such as bone, teeth, and plant matter for both light microscopy and electron microscopy.
Microtomy
- Microtomy is used to prepare thin sections for materials such as bones, minerals, and teeth.
- Microtome sections can be made thin enough to section a human hair across its breadth, with section thickness between 50 nm and 100 μm.
History of Microtomy
- The earliest form of microtomy was the freehand sectioning of fresh or fixed material using a sharp razor.
- With practice, the sections produced could be quite thin and translucent.
Types of Microtomes
- Rocking microtome
- Rotary rocking microtome
- Sledge microtome
- Rotary microtome
- Cryomicrotome
- Ultramicrotome
- Vibrating microtome
- Saw microtome
- Laser microtome
Sledge Microtome
- Typical applications for this design of microtome are for the preparation of large samples, such as those embedded in paraffin for biological preparations.
- Typical cut thickness achievable on a sledge microtome is between 1 and 60 μm.
Rotary Microtome
- Typical cut thickness for a rotary microtome is between 1 and 60 μm.
- For hard materials, such as a sample embedded in a synthetic resin, this design of microtome can allow good "semi-thin" sections with a thickness of as low as 0.5 μm.
Cryomicrotome
- For the cutting of frozen samples, many rotary microtomes can be adapted to cut in a liquid-nitrogen chamber.
- The reduced temperature allows the hardness of the sample to be increased, allowing the preparation of semi-thin samples.
Ultramicrotome
- It allows the preparation of extremely thin sections.
- The typical thickness of these cuts is between 40 and 100 nm for transmission electron microscopy.
- Diamond knives (preferably) and glass knives are used with ultramicrotomes.
Vibrating Microtome
- The vibrating microtome operates by cutting using a vibrating blade, allowing the resultant cut to be made with less pressure than would be required for a stationary blade.
- The vibrating microtome is usually used for difficult biological samples.
- The cut thickness is usually around 30–500 μm for live tissue and 10–500 μm for fixed tissue.
Saw Microtome
- The saw microtome is especially for hard materials such as teeth or bones.
- The microtome of this type has a recessed rotating saw, which slices through the sample.
- The minimal cut thickness is approximately 30 μm and can be made for comparatively large samples.
Laser Microtome
- Contact-free slicing is possible with a laser microtome.
- Prior preparation of the sample is not required.
- It can also be used for very hard materials, such as bones or teeth, as well as some ceramics.
- Thickness: 10-100 μm.
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Description
Explore the role of microtomes in preparing samples for microscopy, and learn about the different types of blades used in the process.
