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CHAPTER 1 - THE CELL
Histology Guide
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FIGURE

NAME
Fig 012 Freeze Fracture
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T. Clark Brelje
Jean Magney
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN

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University of Minnesota
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Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.

University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
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321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

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Fig 012 Freeze Fracture

Freeze Fracture

Freeze fracture of adjacent membranes. In this diagram, the fracture (black arrow) jumps from the plasma membrane of the lower cell (#2) to the upper cell (#1).

  • Most proteins (or complexes of proteins; tan) remain embedded in the inner half of the plasma membrane adjacent to the cytoplasm. This is known as the protoplasmic face (or P-Face). The P-face of the plasma membrane of the lower cell (#2) is seen (cyan).
  • Fewer particles are found in the outer half of the plasma membrane facing the extracellular space. This is known as the extracellular face (or E-Face). The E-face of the plasma membrane for the upper cell (#1) is seen (yellow)

It is not possible to view both the P- and E-faces of one membrane in the same specimen.

Gap junctions (purple) are also shown.

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