RESUMO
It is shown that the composition of fixatives (2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer with pH 7.2-7.4, and the mixture of 2.5% glutaraldehyde with 2% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer with pH 7.2-74) and duration of fixation (30 minutes, 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days) under the room temperature exerts no influence on preservation of HeLa cultured cells. The ultrastructure of all the organelles of these cells is similar in any cases examined. All the membrane structures are well preserved; no condensation of chromatin is observed; the widths of the canals of endoplasmic reticulum, and of the intracristal and lateral spaces of mitochondria are invariable. Polysomes are present in the cytoplasm throughout the period of fixation.