You find a new presynaptic protein that you call 'synprotelm' and you want to see where it is in relation to the presynaptic Ca²⁺ channels. What is the best method to use to understand this? Defend your answer. A) Scanning electron microscopy B) Transmission electron microscopy C) Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy D) Immunoelectron microscopy

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Ca²⁺ channel and synprotelm proteins would need to be tagged in order to locate them. After that super-resolution fluorescence microscopy could be used to locate the proteins relative to each other. This is similar to what is shown in Figure 13–25 of the textbook. For immuno EM both proteins would have to be tagged (for example with different sized gold particles). Although this is extremely difficult, it has been performed successfully. The other two EM methods cannot localize known proteins.

You Find a New Presynaptic Protein That You Call 'Synprotelm