Muhammad Nawaz Shreef University of Agriculture Multan
Assignment Topic:
Microtomy, its types and uses in Entomology
Submitted to:
Dr. Farrukh Baig
Submitted by:
Ayesha Tariq (2018-uam-452)
Malika Khaleel (2024-uam-2741)
Microtomy, its types and uses in Entomology
Introduction
What is a microtomy?
The means by which tissues can be sectioned and attached to a surface for further microscopic
examination.
Microtome:
Derived from Greek mikros, meaning “small”, and temnein, meaning “to cut”. It is a
mechanical device for cutting thin uniform slices of tissues section.
A microtome is an instrument used to repeatedly slice tissue into thin, uniform sections for
downstream laboratory processing and imaging. Different types of microtome are used to section
different types of tissue, depending on the sample’s size, embedding medium, and preparation
method (e.g. frozen or fresh).
Why is tissue sectioning important?
Depending on the application, scientists and technicians generally need to stain or label tissue for
different biomarkers and then image it under a microscope to obtain useful data for diagnostic or
research purposes. Sectioning can facilitate various parts of this tissue processing to data
collection pipeline.
Parts of Microtome
There are different types of microtome but all consists of same parts
1. Base (Microtome body)
2. Knife attachment and blade
3. Material and tissues holder
4. Some microtomes have more features like desk clamp to hold the machine in
place, some are manually used, some are automatic.
Types of Microtome:
1. Rotary microtome
This instrument is a common microtome design. This device operates with a staged rotary action
such that the actual cutting is part of the rotary motion. In a rotary microtome, the knife is
typically fixed in a vertical position through the motion of the sample holder, the sample is cut
by the knife position 1 to position 2, at which point the fresh section remains on the knife.
At the highest point of the rotary motion, the sample holder is advanced by the same thickness as
the section that is to be made, allowing the next section to be made. It cuts thin tissue sections
(1–10 µm) for microscopic examination and uses a rotary hand wheel to move the specimen
block against a stationary blade
2. Sliding Microtome
A sliding microtome is a type of microtome where the tissue block is moved horizontally across
a stationary knife to produce thin sections, essentially "sliding" the specimen under the blade to
cut it; this design is particularly useful for dense or fibrous tissues due to its stable cutting action
Sections are typically between, (1–10 µm) they are Ideal for large, hard, or uneven specimens
commonly used in botany, wood analysis, and industrial material studies.
3. Saw Microtome
A "saw microtome" is a specialized type of microtome designed specifically for cutting through
hard materials like bone, teeth, or wood, using a recessed rotating saw blade to slice through the
sample, producing relatively thick sections compared to other microtomes. However, their design
does not allow for sections thinner than 30µm.
4. Vibrating Microtome
A vibrating microtome, also called a "vibratome", is a laboratory tool used to cut thin slices of
tissue by utilizing a vibrating blade, allowing for precise sectioning of soft tissues without the
need for freezing or embedding, often used in neuroscience research to study brain slices. It
produces tissue slices by rapidly moving the blade back and forth with a vibrating motion,
creating a "sawing" effect to cut through soft tissue. Generally, their cutting thinness is between
10-500 µm for fixed tissues and 30-500 µm for live tissue.
5. Laser Microtome
A laser microtome uses ultrashort laser pulses in the near infrared range to cut materials. The
laser's radiation penetrates the material without causing visible damage. Device operates using
cutting action of an infra-red laser, which emits radiation and interact with biological material.
Its cutting Thinness is between 10-100 µm and used for hard materials, as bones and teeth.
6. Ultramicrotome
Ultramicrotomes were designed to produce sections for transmission electron microscopy
(TEM). In order for TEM to work, sections must be slimmer than 150nm and much thinner than
the 30µm sections produced by most other microtomes. They use a diamond or glass knife for
cutting each section is cut and it is floated on to water bath adjacent to knife edge.
Ultramicrotomy is primarily used for biological specimens, but it can also be used for industrial
materials like plastics, rubber, metals, and ceramics.
7. Cryostat microtome:
A cryostat microtome is a laboratory instrument that combines a microtome with a freezer to cut
thin sections of frozen biological tissue It is a refrigerated cabinet in which a specialty
microtome is housed. All controls are operated from outside, specimen is frozen and sectioned at
low temperatures to preserve morphology. Cutting Thinness is between 4-8 µm and the freezing
agents which used in it are liquefied nitrogen (-190C), CO2 (-70C), Dry ice (-70C).
8. Freezing microtome:
A freezing microtome (sometimes used with a cryostat) is designed to freeze a specimen so
that it can be hard enough to accurately sliced by the microtome without destroying it. The
freezing microtome can utilize temperature typically ranging from -60 °C to 0 °C for
freezing. To freeze the specimen, it's either frozen by physical contact with a cooled platform
or by using carbon dioxide gas. For frozen sections the section thickness typically ranges
from 8 to 15 µm, for wax sections 4–10 µm, and for plastic histological sections 0.5–3 µm.
9. Sledge Microtome:
A sledge microtome is a device where the sample is placed into a fixed holder (shuttle), which
then moves backwards and forwards across a knife. Used primarily for large blocks, hard tissues,
or whole mounts, it is especially useful in neuropathology and ophthalmic pathology. Typical cut
thickness achievable on a sledge microtome is between is 10 and 60 micron
Microtome Applications in Entomology
1. Insect morphology
Ultra-microtomes used for TEM sectioning are usually suitable for producing semi-thin sections
(up to 1 μm thickness), but specific microtomes are used in most cases, it allows for detailed
examination of insect’s anatomy revealing structural features of insects.
2. Pathological examination
It facilitates the analysis of disease- affected tissues, aiding in understanding insect diseases.
3. Applications in Ecology
By analyzing internal structures, researchers can gain insights into feeding habits, reproductive
strategies, and responses to environmental changes
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtome
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258221245_Microtomes_and_Microtome_Knives_-
_A_Review_and_Proposed_Classification
