Time-lapse of fetal neurons making connections
This time lapse animations, taken with the phase contrast microscopy technique, shows neural stem cells in a nutrient medium over a period of 4 hours. The phase contrast microscopy technique is used to produce high-contrast images of transparent specimens of, for example, microorganisms. When light waves travel through a probe, it interacts with it. The interaction with the probe causes the wave amplitude and phase to change (the change dependents on the properties of the probe). To make the phase changes visible, scientists have to separate the illuminating (background) light from the specimen-scattered light (which makes up the foreground details) and to manipulate these differently. This time lapse video reveals the dynamic growth and recycling of dendrites and synapses as neurons establish relationships with each other.
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