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(BMED) TOB 1-5 > 1 - Cell Ultrastructure & Light Microscopy > Flashcards

1 - Cell Ultrastructure & Light Microscopy Flashcards

1
Q

What advantage is conferred by fluorescent microscopy?

A

Multiple fluorescent stains can be used to tag one specimen

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2
Q

What happens to nucleoli during cell division?

A

Disappear

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3
Q

What is immunohistochemistry?

A

Identifying specific proteins by introducing relevant antibodies linked to a dye

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4
Q

Describe the structure of the SER.

A

Network of relatively round cisternae; no ribosomes

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5
Q

Two self-replicating organelles are peroxisomes and mitochondria. What distinguishes them?

A

Peroxisome: no genetic information

Mitochondria: own genetic information

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6
Q

H2O2 oxidizes half the alcohol we drink to form ___.

A

Acetaldehyde

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7
Q

What is the function of ribosomes?

A

Protein synthesis

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8
Q

Describe the structure of intermediate filaments.

A

Rods of protein twisted together (visualize: rope)

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9
Q

What is the most commonly used clearing agent?

A

Xylene

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10
Q

Describe the structure of microfilaments.

A

Two strings of actin twisted together

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11
Q

What is the function of lysosomes?

A

Digestion

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12
Q

List 3 areas where you would perform a direct incision biopsy.

A
  1. Skin
  2. Mouth
  3. Larynx
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13
Q

What color does eosin stain basic substances?

A

Pink

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14
Q

What is the function of mitochondria?

A

Produce ATP

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15
Q

What is the function of microfilaments?

A

Contraction

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16
Q

What is an endoscopic biopsy?

A

Removal of tissue via instruments on an endoscope

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17
Q

What is the name for the convex face of the Golgi apparatus?

A

Cis face

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18
Q

Which dye predominantly identifies proteins?

A

Eosin

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19
Q

What is the limit of resolution?

A

Minimum distance at which two objects can be distinguished

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20
Q

Describe the structure of the RER.

A

Network of relatively flat cisternae; embedded with ribosomes

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21
Q

How do lysosomal membranes protect themselves from the powerful acidic hydrolases within?

A

They are highly glycosylated

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22
Q

Why must you stain histological sections to reveal structure?

A

Tissues are otherwise translucent

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23
Q

What is the fate of proteins synthesized by free ribosomes?

A

Remain in the cytosol

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24
Q

What is a direct incision biopsy?

A

Cutting directly into the tissue of interest to remove it

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25
Q

Why must you use a clearing agent before embedding tissue with wax?

A

Dehydrated cells contain alcohol, which doesn’t mix with wax

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26
Q

What is autolysis?

A

Destruction of a cell by its own enzymes (a.k.a. self-digestion)

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27
Q

When would you use periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain?

A

Stain areas rich in carbohydrates (e.g., glycogen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans)

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28
Q

Describe the structure of the nucleolus.

A

Dense region inside the nucleus (note: no membrane)

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29
Q

What advantage is conferred by phase contrast microscopy?

A

Enhanced image of unstained cells

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30
Q

In which type of cells are lysosomes generally most abundant?

A

Phagocytes

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31
Q

What is the most commonly used acidic dye?

A

Hematoxylin

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32
Q

Describe the appearance of peroxisomes.

A

Membrane-bound spheres containing granular matrix

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33
Q

Why is it difficult to infuse fresh tissue with wax?

A

Cells are mainly water, which doesn’t mix with wax

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34
Q

How does dark field microscopy work?

A

Excludes unscattered beam from the image

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35
Q

List 3 functions of the nuclear envelope.

A
  1. Separate contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm
  2. Allow selective permeability via nuclear pores
  3. Attach to the endoplasmic reticulum
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36
Q

What is an organ?

A

Collection of tissues grouped to perform a particular function

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37
Q

When would you use Giemsa stain?

A

Identify immune cells

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38
Q

Why are peroxisomes more abundant in kidney tubules and liver parenchymal cells?

A

These areas detoxify molecules that enter the bloodstream

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39
Q

What color does hematoxylin stain acidic substances?

A

Blue

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40
Q

Compare milli-, micro-, and nanometers.

A

Millimeters: 10^-3 m

Micrometers: 10^-6 m

Nanometers: 10^-9 m

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41
Q

How does fluorescent microscopy work?

A

Targets molecule of interest with fluorescent dye

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42
Q

What is a biopsy?

A

Removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination

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43
Q

When would you use van Gieson stain?

A

Examine elastic fibres

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44
Q

What 2 advantages are conferred by dark field microscopy?

A
  1. Enhanced image of unstained cells
  2. Enhanced image of live cells
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45
Q

List 2 reasons why tissue needs to be fixed.

A
  1. Prevent autolysis
  2. Prevent putrefaction
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46
Q

Describe the structure of the plasma membrane.

A

Phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded (i.e., fluid mosaic model)

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47
Q

What is the purpose of the glycocalyx?

A

Gives the cell specificity

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48
Q

What is Breslow thickness?

A

Depth of malignant melanocyte invasion

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49
Q

List 3 final destinations of the secretory pathway.

A
  1. Cell membrane
  2. Cell exterior
  3. Lysosomes
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50
Q

Hematoxylin stains which substances blue?

A

Acidic

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51
Q

List 2 functions of the SER.

A
  1. Synthesize fats
  2. Synthesize steroids
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52
Q

Describe the structure of mitochondria.

A

Double membrane with inner membrane thrown into cristae

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53
Q

How do proteins get from the RER to the Golgi apparatus?

A

Membrane-bound vesicles

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54
Q

Compare transverse, longitudinal, and oblique cuts.

A

Transverse: width-wise

Longitudinal: length-wise

Oblique: at an angle

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55
Q

Define histology

A

The study of the structure of tissues via stains and microscopy

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56
Q

What type of microscopy would you use to generate 3D images from a series of 2D images?

A

Confocal

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57
Q

Compare euchromatin and heterochromatin.

A

Euchromatin: loose, actively synthesizing RNA

Heterochromatin: tightly packed, not synthesizing RNA

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58
Q

What is the most commonly used dehydrating agent?

A

Alcohol

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59
Q

Which dye would stain the nucleus?

A

Hematoxylin

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60
Q

What is the function of microtubules?

61
Q

Describe the structure of the glycocalyx.

A

A cell “coat” made up of carbohydrate side chains

62
Q

What is the first line of treatment for non-small cell carcinoma?

63
Q

Describe needle biopsies.

A

Needle gathers cells from tissue

64
Q

List 5 structures that stain well with PAS.

A
  1. Glycocalyx
  2. Mucus
  3. Brush borders
  4. Reticular fibres
  5. Basement membranes
65
Q

Compare eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

A

Eukaryote cells: internal membranes

Prokaryotic cells: no internal membranes

66
Q

List 3 functions of the RER.

A
  1. Synthesize proteins destined for the secretory pathway
  2. Make lysosomes
  3. Glycosylation
67
Q

Which organelle is responsible for maintaining cell shape?

A

Cytoskeleton

68
Q

What are the 2 major functions of the nucleus?

A
  1. Store DNA
  2. Coordinate cell activities (e.g., metabolism, growth, protein synthesis, mitosis)
69
Q

The phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane forms a barrier. What component performs most other functions?

A

Proteins embedded in the bilayer

70
Q

Which substance is produced in peroxisomes?

A

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

71
Q

Describe the structure of the nuclear envelop.

A

Double-layered membrane interspersed with nuclear pores

72
Q

Where would vesicles from the RER fuse with the Golgi apparatus?

73
Q

What is the best stain for revealing muscle and different types of connective tissue?

A

Masson’s trichome

74
Q

What is the function of nuclear pores?

A

Allow specific molecules to travel between the nucleus and cytoplasm

75
Q

Why are electron microscopes capable of finer resolution than light microscopes?

A

Limit of resolution is proportional to wavelength, and electrons have a shorter wavelength

76
Q

List 3 types of cells that lack nuclei.

A
  1. Erythrocytes
  2. Stratum corneum cells
  3. Lens fiber cells
77
Q

Describe how a smear is taken.

A

Cells are exfoliated and smeared on a slide

78
Q

What are the 3 components of the nucleus?

A
  1. Nuclear envelope
  2. Nucleolus
  3. Genetic material (i.e., DNA, RNA, and nucleoproteins)
79
Q

Which process confers stability upon biopsied tissue?

80
Q

List 5 functions of the cytoskeleton.

A
  1. Maintaining cell shape
  2. Structural support for membrane and organelles
  3. Means of movement for cytosol constituents
  4. Locomotor mechanisms for amoeboid movements, cilia, and flagella
  5. Contractility (e.g., in muscle)
81
Q

What is confocal microscopy?

A

Fluorescent microscopy with improved image resolution by means of using a pinhole to block out-of-focus light

82
Q

Describe the pathological effects of lysosomal storage disorders.

A

Molecules normally broken down by lysosomes accumulate within the cell, causing dysfunction

83
Q

List 5 areas that are abundant in SER.

A
  1. Liver
  2. Mammary glands
  3. Ovaries
  4. Testes
  5. Adrenal glands
84
Q

Proteins within the plasma membrane can either a) move or b) are fixed in place by the ___.

A

Cytoskeleton

85
Q

When would you use silver stain?

A

Examine reticular fibres

86
Q

How do fixatives work?

A

Arrest cell activity by cross-linking proteins

87
Q

Why don’t fat droplets stain in H&E?

A

Washed away during preparation

88
Q

List 2 areas where you would perform a transvascular biopsy.

A
  1. Heart
  2. Liver
89
Q

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

A

Modify, package, and sort proteins from the RER

90
Q

What is the most effective treatment for malignant melanoma?

A

Early diagnosis and excision

91
Q

What is the function of the nucleolus?

A

Synthesize ribosomes

92
Q

What is a microtome?

A

Device used to slice tissues for histological slides

93
Q

How many mitochondria would you find in a liver cell?

94
Q

Which dye would stain the cytoplasm?

95
Q

What 3 advantages are conferred by confocal microscopy?

A
  1. Multiple fluorescent stains can be used on one specimen
  2. Improved focus
  3. 3D images from a series of 2D images
96
Q

What is the perinuclear cisterna?

A

Space between the inner and outer nuclear membranes

97
Q

What is the function of SER in the mammary glands?

A

Synthetize fats

98
Q

By what process do secretory vesicles release their contents at the cell surface?

A

Exocytosis

99
Q

What do lysosomes contain?

A

Powerful hydrolytic enzymes

100
Q

Period acid-Schiff stains carbohydrate-rich areas what color?

101
Q

List 5 areas where you would perform a needle biopsy.

A
  1. Brain
  2. Breast
  3. Liver
  4. Kidney
  5. Muscle
102
Q

Why do proteins entering the Golgi body migrate from the cis face to the trans face?

A

Differences in polarity

103
Q

List 3 common tissue fixatives.

A
  1. Glutaraldehyde
  2. Formaldehyde
  3. Alcohol
104
Q

List 7 functions of the plasma membrane.

A
  1. Selective permeability
  2. Transport of material along the cell surface
  3. Endocytosis
  4. Exocytosis
  5. Intercellular recognition
  6. Intercellular adhesion
  7. Signal transduction
105
Q

Which organelle is the site of translation?

106
Q

Which organelle has a female lineage?

A

Mitochondria

107
Q

Explain the value of histology in diagnosis.

A

A biopsy and histology is the final proof of disease (nb doctors may not administer treatment until histopathologists have given a diagnosis)

108
Q

What is the function of SER in the liver?

A

Synthesize fats

109
Q

Compare primary and secondary lysosomes.

A

Primary: free lysosome

Secondary: lysosome fused with a phagosome

110
Q

What are the 2 main substrates of the mitochondria?

A
  1. Glucose
  2. Fatty acids
111
Q

What are the 2 major components of ribosomes?

A
  1. RNA
  2. Proteins
112
Q

When would you use Picro-Sirius Red dye?

A

Stain collagen bright red

113
Q

What is the most common embedding agent?

A

Paraffin wax

114
Q

What is autophagy?

A

The process by which malfunctioning cellular components are broken down for reuse

115
Q

Why Is it difficult to cut thin section of fresh tissue?

A

Fresh tissue is soft and loses its integrity as the microtome passes through it

116
Q

What is the name for the concave face of the Golgi apparatus?

A

Trans face

117
Q

Compare the diameter of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

A

Microfilaments: 5 nm

Intermediate filaments: 10-12 nm

Microtubules: 25 nm

118
Q

Describe the structure of phospholipids.

A

Amphipathic; have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail

119
Q

Where are ribosomes synthesized?

120
Q

Eosin stains which substances pink?

121
Q

Describe curettage.

A

Tissue is removed by scraping

122
Q

Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus.

A

Saucer-shaped stacks of cisternae

123
Q

List 3 areas where you would perform an endoscopic biopsy.

A
  1. Lungs
  2. Intestine
  3. Bladder
124
Q

What are the 3 components of the cytoskeleton?

A
  1. Microfilaments
  2. Intermediate filaments
  3. Microtubules
125
Q

List 5 substances you would find in the mitochondrial matrix.

A
  1. Enzymes
  2. DNA
  3. RNA
  4. Ribosomes
  5. Calcium granules
126
Q

What is the fate of proteins leaving the Golgi?

A

Secretory pathway (i.e., leave cell, implant in membrane, or engulfed by lysosomes)

127
Q

List 2 areas that you would perform a smear.

A
  1. Cervix
  2. Buccal cavity
128
Q

What is the first line of treatment for small cell carcinoma?

A

Chemotherapy

129
Q

Why are there large numbers of mitochondria in the liver and skeletal muscle?

A

Areas require a lot of energy

130
Q

What is the structure of lysosomes?

A

Membrane-bound vesicle filled with hydrolytic enzymes

131
Q

Where do proteins entering the cis face of the Golgi body migrate?

A

Trans face

132
Q

What is chromatin?

A

Fibers of DNA and protein; precursor for chromosomes

133
Q

Explain the endosymbiosis theory re: mitochondria.

A

Mitochondria were originally prokaryotic cells that developed a symbiotic relationship with primordial eukaryotic cells

134
Q

Describe the structure of microtubules.

A

Hollowed cylinder consisting of dimers of alpha and beta tubulin

135
Q

What is the function of SER in the ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands?

A

Synthesize steroids

136
Q

What is the function of intermediate filaments?

137
Q

What is a tissue?

A

Collection of cells specialized to perform a particular function

138
Q

What is the centrosome?

A

Site of microtubule organization

139
Q

How can tissue professing lead to the formation of artefacts?

A

During slide preparation, tissue is dehydrated and rehydrated, which can lead to abnormalities in the final slide

140
Q

What are lamins?

A

Intermediate filaments that support the nuclear membrane

141
Q

What is putrefaction?

142
Q

What are residual bodies?

A

Lysosomes that have digested their contents, but contain indigestible remains

143
Q

Compare the limit of resolution of scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM).

A

SEM: higher

TEM: lower

144
Q

What is the function of peroxisomes?

A

Detoxification

145
Q

How does phase contrast microscopy work?

A

Uses interference effect of two combining light waves

146
Q

Which dye predominantly identifies nucleic acids?

A

Hematoxylin

147
Q

Where would you perform curettage?

A

Lining of uterus

148
Q

What is the basic structure of all cell membranes?

A

Phospholipid bilayer

149
Q

What happens to the nuclear envelope during cell division?

A

Breaks down during prophase and is reconstituted around the two daughter cells at telophase

(BMED) TOB 1-5 (8 decks)

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