The use of high resolution microscope photometry in the discrimination of chromosome bands

Abstract

High resolution microscope photometry was used to discriminate between regions of differing density along the length of a banded metaphase chromosome. It has been demonstrated that photometry can be performed on such material to give a higher level of effective resolution than has hitherto been obtained. Using conventional visible light microscope photometry it is possible to obtain useful comparative densitometric information from measurements performed at a point separation equivalent to 0.05 μm in the object plane. The practical details of the equipment employed and the theoretical basis of the study are discussed.