Electron Microscopy of the Golgi Apparatus

Abstract

IT has become customary in studies of the nerve cell by electron microscopy to apply the term ‘Golgi apparatus’ to appearances suggesting membranes, granules, or vacuoles¹. In size, general configuration and osmiophilia the objects so designated cannot readily be recognized as forming part of the large intracellular ‘network’ familiar to workers with the light microscope. Moreover, adequate controls of these observations are prevented by the short periods (2–12 hr.) of osmication usual in the preparation of tissues for electron microscopy. As is well known, tissues must remain in osmic solutions for days or weeks before the capricious impregnation of the Golgi apparatus results. Further, it has been suggested that the initial buffering of the osmium fixative used in electron microscopy prevents for some reason the classical ‘black reaction’ of Kopsch (Gatenby, J. B., personal communication, 1958).