Scanning Electron Microscopy of Isolated Mitochondria I

Abstract

Acetone-dehydrated and air-dried spread specimens of mitochondria isolated from the liver, kidney and skeletal muscle of the rat were observed under the scanning electron microscope.
The mitochondria from the liver differed in shape according to the concentrations of sucrose used in preparation. They were of ovoid and rod-like shape when 0.44M sucrose was used. With 0.32M sucrose they resembled either rolled larvae or doughnuts. With 0.25M sucrose spherical forms were predominant. Processes of rolling up of the original rod shape into a ring and its swelling into a spherical form in hypotonic media were suggested.
The mitochondria from the kidney and muscle were less uniform in shape and size than those from the liver.