Three-dimensional analysis of internal structures in plant tissues and cells: a case study of rice leaf-blades analyzed by serial section light microscopy

Abstract

Plant morphology (or anatomy) is reaching a new phase with serial sectioning methods followed by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction methods. Although the recent studies of 3D analysis have tended to depend on high-performance machines (such as FE-SEM, FIB-SEM, SBF-SEM, and etc.), we can also perform 3D reconstruction using a microtome and an ordinary light microscope. Here, I introduce utilities of serial section light microscopy (ssLM) followed by 3D reconstruction with the case study applied to the analysis of intercellular airspace, mesophyll cells, and chloroplasts in leaf tissues of rice (Oryza sativa L.).