2.1.1 - Cell Structure Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What does a microscope allow us to do

A

Magnify an object many times

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Eyepiece graticule

A

Circular disk that fits onto the eyepiece and contains a tiny ruler with equal divisions on it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Stage micrometer

A

Usually 1-100nm long with 100 divisions on it. This sits on the stage of the microscope and is used to calibrate the eyepiece graticule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why do we need a stage micrometer to calibrate the eyepiece graticule

A

The eyepiece graticule remains constant no matter what magnification the cells are used at

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the two types of objective lens in a compound light microscope

A

High power

Low power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What instrument was used before the first microscope

A

Magnifying glasses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What type of microscope did Robert Hooke invent

A

A compound light microscope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the main feature of compound microscopes

A

They have 2 types of lenses, the eyepiece and objective lenses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

In what year was the electron microscope invented in

A

1931

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is an advantage of an electron microscope

A

Capable for far greater resolution and magnification of 1 mil.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a disadvantage of electron microscope

A

Living specimens are destroyed by high dose of radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Metric equivalent of decimetre, dm

A

0.1 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Metric equivalent of millimetre, mm

A

0.01 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Metric equivalent of micro metre

A

0.000001 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Metric equivalent of nanometre, nm

A

0.000000001 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Metric equivalent of Angstrom, A

A

0.0000000001 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Metric equivalent of picometre, pm

A

0.000000000001 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does the amount of detail seen through a microscope depend on

A

The resolving power of the microscope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Resolving power

A

The smallest separation at which two separate objects can be distinguished (or resolved)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the resolving power of a microscope ultimately limited by

A

The wavelength of light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the wavelength of light

A

400-600nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why do some microscopes have blue filters

A

Blue has the shortest wavelength of visible light and to improve the resolving power a shorter wavelength of light is needed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Definition of magnification

A

How much bigger a sample appears to be under the microscope than it’s in real life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Definition of resolution

A

Ability to distinguish between two points on an image i.e. the amount of detail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the resolution of an image limited by and why

A

The wavelength of radiation used to view the sample
When objects in the specimen are smaller than half the wavelength of the radiation being used, they don’t interrupt the waves, and so aren’t detected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the wavelength of light much larger than

A

The wavelength of electrons, so the resolution of the light microscope is a lot lower

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How does using a microscope with a more powerful magnification affect the resolution

A

It does not

It will increase the size of the image but objects closer than 200nm will still only be seen as one point

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Compound microscopes

A

Use several lenses to obtain high magnification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Resolution of light microscopy

A

About 200nm, which is good enough to see cells, but not details of cell organelles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Examples of procedures undertaken to prepare slide samples

A
Fixation 
Dehydration 
Embedding 
Sectioning
Staining 
Mounting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Light microscopy

A

Specimens are illuminated with light, which is focussed using glass lenses and viewed with the eye or photographic film.
Specimens can be living or dead, but often need to be stained with a coloured dye to make them visible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the wavelength of electrons

A

Less than 1nm, so can be used to resolve small sub-cellular ultra-structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

How did the electron microscope revolutionise biology

A

Allows organelles such as mitochondria, ER and membranes to be seen in detail for the first time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Problems with an electron microscope

A

Specimens must be fixed in plastic and viewed in a vacuum, and must therefore be dead
Specimens can be damaged by the electron beam
Specimens must be stained with an electron-dense chemical (usually heavy metals like osmium, lead or gold)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the two types of electron microscope

A

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

TEM

A

Works much like a light microscope, transmitting a beam of electrons through a thin specimen and then focusing the electrons to form an image on a screen or on film

Most common form of electron microscope and has best resolution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

SEM

A

Scans a fine beam of electron onto a specimen and collects the electrons scattered by the surface

Has poorer resolution but gives excellent 3D images

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Laser scanning confocal microscope

A

Used to observe an object at a certain depth within a cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Why do we stain samples

A

To ensure contrast between structures

Identification of cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Magnification of light microscope

A

X1500

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Magnification of TEM

A

X500,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Resolution of TEM

A

0.2 nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Magnification of SEM

A

X100,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Resolution of SEM

A

10nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Method of laser scanning confocal methods

A

Using a laser light to scan an object point by point and a computer assembles the image

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Pros of laser scanning confocal microscopy

A

Can be used to study whole, live specimens and can be used to obtain images at different depths in thick sections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Main stains

A

Haemoxylin

Eosin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Haemoxylin

A

Blue colour
Stains DNA and RNA in all nuclei
Often used together (differential staining)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Eosin

A

Pink or red colour

Stains connective tissue and substances in cytoplasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

IAM Equation

A

I
A M

I - image size
A - actual size
M - magnification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Eukaryotic Cells

A

Have a nucleus containing genetic info

52
Q

Prokaryotic cells

A

Don’t have a nucleus

No membrane bound organelles

53
Q

Organelles

A

Components of a cell, each with a different function

54
Q

Membrane bound

A

Surrounded by a membrane

55
Q

Structure of a nucleus

A
Double nuclear envelope 
Nuclear pores 
Nucleoli 
Membrane of nuclear envelope continuous with rough ER membranes  
Nucleoplasm containing chromatins
56
Q

Function of nucleus

A

Contains genetic material (chromosomes)

Controls cell activities

57
Q

Function of double nuclear envelope

A

To enclose and protect DNA

58
Q

Function of nuclear pores

A

Allow entry of substances such as nucleotides for DNA replication and exit of molecules such as mRNA during protein synthesis

59
Q

Function of nucleoplasm containing chromatin

A

It is these, during cell division, condense to form chromosomes

60
Q

Function of the nucleoli

A

Assembles ribosomes, coenzymes, proteins and RNA

61
Q

Function of outer membrane of nuclear envelope being continuous with rough ER

A

Makes perinuclear space continuous with the lumen of the ER, thus allowing easy transport of substances

62
Q

Structure of mitochondrion

A

Double membrane
Inner membrane spanned by porins
Inner membrane folded to form cristae

63
Q

Function of double membrane in mitochondrion

A

Isolates reactions of the Kreb’s cycle. Compartmentalisation allows high conc. of enzymes and substrates to be maintained

64
Q

Function of innner membrane being folded in cristae

A

Increases the surface area for the attachment of enzymes

65
Q

Roles of cytoskeleton

A

Allow organelle movement
Give support and mechanical strength
Keep the cell’s shape stable

66
Q

Organelles in animal cells

A
Vesicles 
Lysosomes 
Nucleolus
Golgi apparatus
Mitochondrion 
Rough ER
Smooth ER
Centriole 
Cell membrane 
Cytoplasm 
Ribosome
67
Q

Organelles in plant cells

A
Cell wall 
Cell membrane 
Golgi apparatus 
Chloroplast 
Amyloplast 
Vacuole
Cytoplasm 
Mitochondrion 
Ribosomes
Rough ER
Smooth ER 
Lamella
68
Q

DNA in eukaryotes

A

Linear

69
Q

DNA in prokaryotes

A

Circular

70
Q

DNA association in eukaryotes

A

Associated with proteins called histones

71
Q

DNA organisation in prokaryotes

A

Proteins fold and condense DNA

72
Q

Types of organelles in eukaryotes

A

Both membrane and non-membrane bound

73
Q

Types of organelles in prokaryotes

A

Only non-membrane bound

74
Q

Non-membrane bound organelles

A

Ribosomes
Centrioles
Cytoskeleton
Cell wall

75
Q

Cell walls in eukaryotes

A

Chitin in fungi
Cellulose in plants
Not present in animals

76
Q

Cell wall in prokaryotes

A

Peptidoglycan (bacteria)

77
Q

Ribosomes in eukaryotes

A

Larger (80 S)

78
Q

Ribosomes in prokaryotes

A

Smaller (70 S)

79
Q

Reproduction in eukaryotes

A

Asexual or sexual

80
Q

Reproduction in prokaryotes

A

Binary fission

81
Q

Cell types in eukaryotes

A

Unicellular and multicellular

82
Q

Cell type in prokaryotes

A

Unicellular

83
Q

Organelles involved in protein synthesis

A
Nucleus 
Ribosomes
Rough ER 
Vesicles
Golgi apparatus
84
Q

Organelles indirectly involved with protein synthesis

A

Nucleus (chromatin, nucleolus (RNA))

Smooth ER

85
Q

First stage in protein synthesis

A

Proteins are synthesised on ribosomes bound to the RER (translation)

86
Q

Second stage in protein synthesis

A

Proteins pass into RER cisternae and packaged into transport vesicles

87
Q

Third stage in protein synthesis

A

Vesicles move towards Golgi apparatus via transport function of cytoskeleton, they fuse with the cis-face

88
Q

Fourth stage in protein synthesis

A

Proteins are structurally modified as they pass through the Golgi cisternae and they leave the Golgi through the trans face

89
Q

Fifth stage in protein synthesis

A

If the protein is to leave the cell (secreted), vesicles travel to cell surface membranes fuse with the membrane and the proteins are released

90
Q

Lysosomes

A

Specialised forms of vesicles that contain hydrolytic enzymes
Responsible for breaking down water materials in cells
Play important role in apoptosis

91
Q

Apoptosis

A

Programmed cell death

92
Q

Vesicles

A

Membranous sacs used for storage and transport inside the cells
Single membrane with fluid inside

93
Q

Cytoskeleton

A

Network of fibres necessary for shape and stability

94
Q

The components of the cytoskeleton

A

Microfilaments
Microtubules
Intermediate fibres

95
Q

Microfilaments

A

Contractile fibres from actin

Responsible for cell movement and contraction in cytokinesis

96
Q

Actin

A

A protein

97
Q

Cytokinesis

A

Process in which cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell forms 2 daughter cells

98
Q

Microtubules

A

Scaffold-like structure determines shape of cell
Tracks for movement for organelles (vesicles) around cell
Form spindle fibres

99
Q

What are microtubules made from

A

Polymerisation of globular tubulin

100
Q

Spindle fibres

A

Have a role in physical segregation of chromosomes

101
Q

Intermediate fibres

A

Give cells mechanical strength and help maintain integrity

102
Q

Roles of cytoskeleton

A

Holds organelles in place
Controls movement of organelles
Gives support and mechanical strength
Keep cell’s shape stable

103
Q

Centrioles

A

Component of the cytoskeleton composed of microtubules

104
Q

Centrosome

A

Formed from two associated centrioles

Involved in the assembly and organisation of spindle fibres in cell division

105
Q

Functions of flagella

A

Enable cells motility

Used as sensory organelle detecting chemical changes in the cell’s environment

106
Q

Types of cilia

A

Mobile

Stationary

107
Q

Stationary cilia

A

Present on surface of cells

Important functions in sensory organs

108
Q

Mobile cilia

A

Beat in a rhythmic manner (creating current) –> cause movement of fluids/objects adjacent to cell

109
Q

Where is mobile cilia found

A

In the trachea

In the fallopian tubes

110
Q

Cisternae

A

Fluid filled cavities that form transport channels

111
Q

What is the smooth ER responsible for

A

Lipid and carbohydrate synthesis, transport and storage

112
Q

What is the rough ER responsible for

A

Synthesis and transport of proteins

It’s an intracellular transport system

113
Q

Structure of Golgi apparatus

A

Stack of cisternae

Secretory vesicles bring materials to and fro

114
Q

Function of Golgi apparatus

A

Modifying proteins to make glycoproteins, lipoproteins or fold them into a 3D shape

115
Q

Structure of chloroplasts

A

Double membrane
Thylakoids containing chlorophyll
Stroma

116
Q

Granum

A

Each stack of thylakoids

117
Q

Why do chloroplasts have a double membrane

A

Protection

118
Q

Stroma

A

Fluid filled matrix in chloroplast

119
Q

Vacuole

A

Filled with water and solutes

Maintains cell’s stability

120
Q

How do vacuoles maintain cells’ stability

A

When the vacuole is full it pushes against the cell wall, making the cell turgid

121
Q

Where are ribosomes made

A

In the nucleolus, as 2 separate subunits, which pass through the nuclear envelope into the cell cytoplasm and then combine

Some attach to the RER

122
Q

What is the plant cell wall made from

A

Bundles of cell fibres

123
Q

Function of plant cell walls

A

Provide strength and support
Maintains cell’s shape
Contribute to the strength and support of whole plant
Allow solutions (solute and solution) to pass through

124
Q

Preparing a microscope slide - dry mount

A

Used for hairs, flowers, pollen etc
Sharp blade - individual cells are visible
Cut a thin slice - so light can pass through
Use tweezers to place your specimen onto your clean microscopic slide
Place a cover slip on top - making sure to not get fingerprints on it

125
Q

Preparing a microscope slide - wet mount (prevents dehydration)

A

Use for liquid specimens e.g. blood smears and plant cells
Pipette water onto your slide
Add specimen to middle of slide using tweezers
Carefully tilt cover slip next to water droplet - ensure no air bubbles, obstructs view of specimen
Once slip is in position, add stain next to edge - will get drawn under slip across specimen

126
Q

Role of membranes within cells

A

Compartamentalisation

Attachment site for enzymes