Transmission electron micrograph of the periphery of an atria mouse cardiac muscle. This micrograph shows how rich cardiac tissue is with mitochondria reflecting its greater dependence on cellular respiration for ATP. Interspersed within the mitochondria are lipid droplets which have been found to play an important role as energy source as well. The Sarcoplasmic Reticulum consists of a consistent three-dimensional tubular system at the cells periphery and functions mainly to store large amounts of calcium ions which are sequestered until stimulated by an electrical impulse.
Primary fixation included: 2.5 % glutaraldehyde, 2% formaldehyde in 0.1 M Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Post-fixed in 2% OSO4 in 0.1 M Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Stained en bloc in 1% uranyl acetate. The tissue was then dehydrated in a graded series of ethanol and infiltrated with Spurr’s resin. Thin sections of 70 nm were trimmed using a diamond knife and post-stained in uranyl acetate and lead citrate. This micrograph image was taken using a Phillips CM 100 transmission electron microscope at an accelerating voltage of 80kV.
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