Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Freeze Etching

A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.

MeSH Record

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Etching, Freeze

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

10 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings classification, economics, ethics, history, instrumentation, methods, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends, veterinary.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

do not confuse with FREEZE FRACTURING (wherein a cryoprotectant is used)

MeSH Record

History Note

73(69)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Freezing (1966-1968)
  • Histological Techniques (1966-1968)
  • Microscopy, Electron (1966-1968)

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AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Freeze Etching. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D005613. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D005613
  2. Freeze Etching. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9263700