Observations of isolated enterocytes and of their subcellular components using transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Isolated epithelial cells and their subcellular organelles were examined both by transmission and by scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that scanning electron microscopy is particularly useful for displaying the three-dimensional structure of the brush border. Furthermore, it has been possible to observe the basal aspect of separated epithelium for the first time. Studies on the scanning electron microscopic appearance of isolated nuclei, mitochondria, and lysosomes did not reveal any evidence of surface structure.