Scanning microscopy of ciliary organelles

Cilia and flagella are characteristic cellular appendages widely present in diverse animal phyla, as well as in some algae; motility of these organelles results from interactions within a rather organized array of axial microtubules, well known as the “9+2 complex”. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies of different cilia, along with data of physical parameters, biochemistry, and computer modeling as well, support current interpretation of their motion mechanisms. Less frequently used in these studies, scanning electron microscopy however, is valuable in providing 3-dimensional views of ciliated cell surfaces; of the waveform of ciliary’s beating, as also, details of the organelles themselves. The use of “instantaneous” fixatives is of particular interest in this regard. A few preparative routes are presented here, as collected from published papers and from personal experience.