摘要
Fossil cytoplasm is a new research topic of interest in paleobotany. Atomic force microscope （AFM） is a new technology applied widely in physics and biology; however, it is rarely used in paleontology. Here we applied AFM for the first time to study fossil cytoplasm. The results indicate that the fossil cytoplasm is heterogeneous and full of ultrastructures, just like extant cytoplasm, and that the application of AFM, especially in combination with other techniques, can reveal the subcellular details of fossil plants with more confidence.
Fossil cytoplasm is a new research topic of interest in paleobotany. Atomic force microscope （AFM） is a new technology applied widely in physics and biology; however, it is rarely used in paleontology. Here we applied AFM for the first time to study fossil cytoplasm. The results indicate that the fossil cytoplasm is heterogeneous and full of ultrastructures, just like extant cytoplasm, and that the application of AFM, especially in combination with other techniques, can reveal the subcellular details of fossil plants with more confidence.
基金
supported by National Centre for NanoScience and Technology(China),Jiangsu Planned Project for Postdoctoral Research Funds,K.C.Wong Postdoctoral Fellowships,China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2005037746)
State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy(Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,CAS),NSFC Program(Nos.40772006,40372008,40632010 and J0630967)
