TEM - mitochondrion and cell membranes

A transmission electron micrograph showing a mitochondrion and cell membranes alongside the nucleus (left). The section has been cut from a frozen sample. This process preserves the sample without dehydration thereby preventing shrinkage. Although this type of image appears less sharp than the traditionally fixed material it gives a truer picture of the cell contents. The membranes show the characteristic dark, light, dark pattern of lipid bilayers and many cristae are visible inside the mitochondrion.