Dandelion vascular bundle
This is a transverse cross section of a dandelion stem I prepared last summer (see the last paragraph for the protocol.) I viewed it under polarized light (crossed polarizers, lambda plate) which revealed optical activity in the vascular bundles. The wall of the Xylem consist of cellulose microfibrils which are formed and remain in an orderly fashion such that birefringence is observed.
Photographed using a AO Spencer 42 polarizing microscope (petrographic) using a lambda wave plate. The Sony NEX 5n was connected to the microscope using a Leica MIKAS microscope adapter with a 2/3X reducer and a 10X eyepiece. The objective was an AO Spencer.
Fixed in FAA 48 hr. Dehydrated 70 % ETOH 95% ETOH 2X, 99% IPA 3X. Cleared in xylene 2X, Infiltrated with Paraplast 2X, mounted in Paraplast. Sectioned with a Spencer 820 microtome 7 micron. Floated on a water drop on a Mayer's Albumin coated slide and dried. Cleared in Xylene 2X. Rehydrated 99% IPA, 95% ETOH. Stained with Aniline Blue IPA, fixed acid alcohol, stained Orange G. Dehydrated 95% ETOH, 99 % IPA 2X. Cleared in Xylene 2X. Mounted with Fisher Permount.
Dandelion vascular bundle
This is a transverse cross section of a dandelion stem I prepared last summer (see the last paragraph for the protocol.) I viewed it under polarized light (crossed polarizers, lambda plate) which revealed optical activity in the vascular bundles. The wall of the Xylem consist of cellulose microfibrils which are formed and remain in an orderly fashion such that birefringence is observed.
Photographed using a AO Spencer 42 polarizing microscope (petrographic) using a lambda wave plate. The Sony NEX 5n was connected to the microscope using a Leica MIKAS microscope adapter with a 2/3X reducer and a 10X eyepiece. The objective was an AO Spencer.
Fixed in FAA 48 hr. Dehydrated 70 % ETOH 95% ETOH 2X, 99% IPA 3X. Cleared in xylene 2X, Infiltrated with Paraplast 2X, mounted in Paraplast. Sectioned with a Spencer 820 microtome 7 micron. Floated on a water drop on a Mayer's Albumin coated slide and dried. Cleared in Xylene 2X. Rehydrated 99% IPA, 95% ETOH. Stained with Aniline Blue IPA, fixed acid alcohol, stained Orange G. Dehydrated 95% ETOH, 99 % IPA 2X. Cleared in Xylene 2X. Mounted with Fisher Permount.