Advancements in cell biology accompanied by decline in quality of
Illustrations The images seen through early microscopes
were recorded as hand-drawn
illustrations. Models of cell structure were proposed in detailed sketches. In the years since, the knowledge of cell structure and function has grown tremendously, made possible largely through technological
advancements in microscopes. Images taken with microscopes can now be captured for editing and printing, but illustrations still serve the vital functions of interpreting microscopic images and modeling cell structure.
In contrast to the advancements in cell biology, the illustrations used in journals and textbooks have declined in quality. The models of cell structure depicted are often outdated (commonly by a decade or more). Sometimes they are simply wrong. There is a remarkable contrast between the quality of work expected in a scientific investigation and the figures that are published in a description of the work. Interestingly, another product of modern technology, computer drawing programs, may be responsible for much of the decline in quality of illustrations.
Using the example of the microtubule, a historical account of drawings of microtubule structure will be shown, and compared with the experimental data available at the time.