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Visualizing cytoskeletal dynamics in living cells by the polarization microscope (CAT#: STEM-MIT-0196-LJX)

Introduction

Cytoskeleton refers to the protein fiber network system in eukaryotic cells, which consists of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate fibers.<br />Cytoskeleton not only plays an important role in maintaining cell morphology, bearing external forces and maintaining the order of cell internal structure. It is also involved in many important life activities, such as: the cytoskeleton pulls chromosomes apart in cell division; In the transport of cellular materials, various vesicles and organelles can be transported along the cytoskeleton; In muscle cells, the cytoskeleton and its binding proteins form the dynamic system;




Principle

Polarized light microscopy is a kind of microscope to identify the optical properties of the fine structure of a substance. Any substance with birefringence can be distinguished under a polarizing microscope. The characteristic of a polarized light microscopy is to change ordinary light into polarizing light for microscopic examination in order to identify whether a substance is monorefringent (anisotropic) or birefringent (anisotropic).
1. Monorefractivity and birefringence: When light passes through a substance, if the properties and path of light do not change due to the direction of illumination, this substance has "isotropy" in optics, also known as a single refractor, such as ordinary gases, liquids, and amorphous solids; If the speed, refractive index, absorption, polarization, amplitude, etc. of light passing through another material vary depending on the direction of illumination, this material has "anisotropy" in optics, also known as a birefringent material, such as crystals, fibers, etc.
2. Polarization of light: Light waves can be divided into natural light and polarized light according to the characteristics of vibration. The vibration characteristic of natural light is that there are many vibration planes on the vertical light wave conduction axis, and the amplitude distribution of vibration on each plane is the same. Natural light through reflection, refraction, birefringence and absorption, can be obtained only in one direction vibration of light waves, this light wave is called "polarized light" or "polarized light".

Applications

Study and analysis in mineral, chemistry, biology, botany and other fields

Procedure

1. Sampling
2. Preparation of slices
3. Staining (Select according to the specific experimental situation)
4. Observation

Materials

• Sample Type:
Living cells

Notes

Operate in strict accordance with the operating procedures, and shall not arbitrarily change the operating procedures