Cytochemistry is the branch of cell biology dealing with the detection of cell constituents by means of biochemical analysis and visualization techniques. This is the study of the localization of cellular components through the use of staining methods. The term is also used to describe a process of identification of the biochemical content of cells. ''Cytochemistry'' is a science of localizing chemical components of cells and cell organelles on thin histological sections by using several techniques like enzyme localization,

micro-incineration Micro-incineration or microincineration is a technique to determine the manner and distribution of mineral elements in biological cells, biological tissues and organs. Slide preparation of tissues can be used. Examples include calcium (Ca), pota ...

, micro-spectrophotometry, radioautography,

cryo-electron microscopy Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a cryomicroscopy technique applied on samples cooled to cryogenic temperatures. For biological specimens, the structure is preserved by embedding in an environment of vitreous ice. An aqueous sample so ...

, X-ray microanalysis by

energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS, EDX, EDXS or XEDS), sometimes called energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA or EDAX) or energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXMA), is an analytical technique used for the elemental analysis or chemi ...

immunohistochemistry Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most common application of immunostaining. It involves the process of selectively identifying antigens (proteins) in cells of a tissue section by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to ant ...

and cytochemistry, etc.

Freeze Fracture Enzyme Cytochemistry

Freeze fracture enzyme cytochemistry was initially mentioned in the study of Pinto de silva in 1987. It is a technique that allows the introduction of cytochemistry into a freeze fracture cell membrane. immunocytochemistry is used in this technique to label and visualize the cell membrane's molecules. This technique could be useful in analyzing the ultrastructure of cell membranes. The combination of immunocytochemistry and freeze fracture enzyme technique, research can identify and have a better understanding of the structure and distribution of a cell membrane.

Origin

Jean Brachet's research in Brussel demonstrated the localization and relative abundance between RNA and DNA in the cells of both animals and plants opened up the door into the research of cytochemistry. The work by Moller and Holter in 1976 about endocytosis which discussed the relationship between a cell's structure and function had established the needs of cytochemical research.

Aims

Cytochemical research aims to study individual cells that may contain several cell types within a tissue. It takes a nondestructive approach to study the localization of the cell. By remaining the cell components intact, researcher are able to study the intact cell activity rather than studying an isolated biochemical activity which the result may be influenced by the distorted cell membrane and spatial difference.

References

*Brighton, Carl T. and Robert M. Hunt (1974). "Mitochondrial calcium and its role in calcification". ''Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research'' 100: 406-416. *Brighton, Carl T. and Robert M. Hunt (1978). "The role of mitochondria in growth plate calcification as demonstrated in a rachitic model". ''Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery'', 60-A: 630-639. Biochemistry Cell biology {{Biochem-stub