CELLS OF THE NERVOUS TISSUE
NEURONS – 5
The images on the previous pages of nervous tissue were of H&E stained sections. A different view of the nervous cells is revealed when treating slices of nervous tissue with metal impregnation techniques.
Instead of staining, tissue slices are placed in solutions containing metal salts, such as gold, silver, or zinc. Their atoms precipitate on the nervous cells and allow the observation of their structure, especially of their processes. Components of the cytoplasm and nuclei can not however be seen.
The image is of a section of a cerebellum. Cell bodies of large neurons called Purkinje cells are indicated by arrows. Long branched dendrites extend from their cell bodies.
Cerebellum. Metallic Impregnation.Small magnification,