Cellulose Acetate Peel Technique
The cellulose acetate peel technique is typically used to create a permanent impression of the cells that form the natural outer covering of plant material (epidermis). The technique can be applied to fresh and dried plant material, although you may need to moisten, or hydrate, dried specimens first.
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Methodology
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The technique involves placing a specimen on a glass microscope slide, covering it with acetone and covering it with cellulose acetate (a compound formed by treating cellulose with acetic anhydride). Place a second microscope slide on top of the first and apply pressure for about one minute, before peeling off the cellulose acetate and mounting it on a third, final slide.
Benefits
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The cellulose acetate peel technique provides a fast, inexpensive alternative to what is known as the thin section method. The technique chemically removes a thin layer of material from the surface of the plant material and embeds it in the cellulose acetate, providing the equivalent of a thin slice through the surface.
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Other Applications
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The cellulose acetate peel technique can also be applied to the microscopic examination of materials other than plant materials. It has been successfully used for the examination of carboniferous rocks and fossils and hard dental materials, such as teeth.
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