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Introduction to biological scanning electron microscopy
Micron, Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 381, 1981. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS Introduction to Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy by Professor M. A. Hayat. University Park Press, 233 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, U.S.A., 323 pp. 1978. Price $14.95 (U.S. dollars). "Introduction to Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy" by Professor M. A. Hayat is a well written overview of the principles and techniques of scanning electron microscopy as they are currently being applied to the biological sciences. Professor Hayat begins with a discussion of the operational aspects of scanning electron microscopy and then procedes to present in logical sequence the important parameters in biological specimen preparation methodology. Included in the latter are the pros and cons of various techniques for specimen fixation, drying, exposure of surface detail, labelling, metal coating, staining, mounting and other relevant topics. Essentially all areas of scanning electron microscopy which would be of interest to biologists are discussed to at least some extent, including areas with future potential. Where appropriate, tables and figures have been provided to illustrate the topics under discussion. Also present in the text itself are references to specific topics which the reader may want to pursue in more depth, but which are beyond the scope intended for an introductory text such as this one. Professor Hayat's considerable past experience in writing and editing texts on electron microscopy is evident in his easily readable style of writing. Perhaps the most useful aspect of his book, however, is that in addition to an evaluation of relevant subject matter, the reader is provided with laboratory recipes for many proven specimen preparation procedures. As a result, the book is not only an informative overview of topics, but also serves as a practical laboratory guide and handbook. Of course, in a field as dynamic as electron microscopy, techniques are continuously being improved and modified. However, scanning electron microscopy of biological samples has presently reached a point where many basic procedures have been worked out to a reasonably satisfactory degree. As a result, the book represents a state-of-the-art guide for these techniques. At the end of the text, the reader is supplied not only with an extensive subject and author index, but also with a useful list of companies which are suppliers of the instrumentation and materials used in scanning electron microscopy. In view of the above, it is my opinion that this book represents an easily readable discussion of relevant topics and an informative laboratory guide which, combined with its reasonable price, makes it an attractive addition to the library of any biologist.
Microscopes and Their Uses. Claude Marmasse. Gordon & Breach, New York. 329 pp. 1980. Price: $20.00. Unfortunately the title is misleading for it implies that this book is a treatise covering all aspects of light microscopy, which it clearly is not. Neither is it a long book despite its 329 pages for the text is printed in double spaced typescript. In fact what one gets for $20 (US dollars) is a concise and clearly written guide book to understanding the basic principles of the conventional compound light microscope and acquiring professional competence in using the instrument. Following a brief introductory chapter the text is divided into a further six chapters. Chapter 2 gives a succinct description of the compound microscope and its care. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 which justifiably comprise two thirds of the book are devoted to optical components, illumination, microprojection and microphotography. Chapter 6 is a basic introduction to the use of polarised light and phase contrast illumination. Lastly Chapter 7 is a short but nevertheless useful account of micrometry. Throughout, the text is a well balanced mixture of basic theory and practical application supplemented by diagrams and tables of useful facts. All diagrams occupy a full page or more. This is very wasteful of space since the majority of diagrams could have been scaled down in size without detriment. This is particularly the case with Fig. 5.2.2 which occupies four pages and could with reduction be easily accommodated in one. Some of the diagrams are so simplified that one questions their utility; Fig. 5.2.4 which is a schematic diagram of a photo-microscope is one example, Fig. 5.2.6 is another. Despite these criticisms, which are largely of the presentation rather than content, the book can be recommended as a useful handbook to using the microscope not only for the initiate in light microscopy, but also for the seasoned user who from time to time needs to refresh his memory and brush up his techniques. G. E. MARKS
P. M. ANDREWS
381
BOOK REVIEWS Introduction to Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy by Professor M. A. Hayat. University Park Press, 233 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, U.S.A., 323 pp. 1978. Price $14.95 (U.S. dollars). "Introduction to Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy" by Professor M. A. Hayat is a well written overview of the principles and techniques of scanning electron microscopy as they are currently being applied to the biological sciences. Professor Hayat begins with a discussion of the operational aspects of scanning electron microscopy and then procedes to present in logical sequence the important parameters in biological specimen preparation methodology. Included in the latter are the pros and cons of various techniques for specimen fixation, drying, exposure of surface detail, labelling, metal coating, staining, mounting and other relevant topics. Essentially all areas of scanning electron microscopy which would be of interest to biologists are discussed to at least some extent, including areas with future potential. Where appropriate, tables and figures have been provided to illustrate the topics under discussion. Also present in the text itself are references to specific topics which the reader may want to pursue in more depth, but which are beyond the scope intended for an introductory text such as this one. Professor Hayat's considerable past experience in writing and editing texts on electron microscopy is evident in his easily readable style of writing. Perhaps the most useful aspect of his book, however, is that in addition to an evaluation of relevant subject matter, the reader is provided with laboratory recipes for many proven specimen preparation procedures. As a result, the book is not only an informative overview of topics, but also serves as a practical laboratory guide and handbook. Of course, in a field as dynamic as electron microscopy, techniques are continuously being improved and modified. However, scanning electron microscopy of biological samples has presently reached a point where many basic procedures have been worked out to a reasonably satisfactory degree. As a result, the book represents a state-of-the-art guide for these techniques. At the end of the text, the reader is supplied not only with an extensive subject and author index, but also with a useful list of companies which are suppliers of the instrumentation and materials used in scanning electron microscopy. In view of the above, it is my opinion that this book represents an easily readable discussion of relevant topics and an informative laboratory guide which, combined with its reasonable price, makes it an attractive addition to the library of any biologist.
Microscopes and Their Uses. Claude Marmasse. Gordon & Breach, New York. 329 pp. 1980. Price: $20.00. Unfortunately the title is misleading for it implies that this book is a treatise covering all aspects of light microscopy, which it clearly is not. Neither is it a long book despite its 329 pages for the text is printed in double spaced typescript. In fact what one gets for $20 (US dollars) is a concise and clearly written guide book to understanding the basic principles of the conventional compound light microscope and acquiring professional competence in using the instrument. Following a brief introductory chapter the text is divided into a further six chapters. Chapter 2 gives a succinct description of the compound microscope and its care. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 which justifiably comprise two thirds of the book are devoted to optical components, illumination, microprojection and microphotography. Chapter 6 is a basic introduction to the use of polarised light and phase contrast illumination. Lastly Chapter 7 is a short but nevertheless useful account of micrometry. Throughout, the text is a well balanced mixture of basic theory and practical application supplemented by diagrams and tables of useful facts. All diagrams occupy a full page or more. This is very wasteful of space since the majority of diagrams could have been scaled down in size without detriment. This is particularly the case with Fig. 5.2.2 which occupies four pages and could with reduction be easily accommodated in one. Some of the diagrams are so simplified that one questions their utility; Fig. 5.2.4 which is a schematic diagram of a photo-microscope is one example, Fig. 5.2.6 is another. Despite these criticisms, which are largely of the presentation rather than content, the book can be recommended as a useful handbook to using the microscope not only for the initiate in light microscopy, but also for the seasoned user who from time to time needs to refresh his memory and brush up his techniques. G. E. MARKS
P. M. ANDREWS
381