3.0 Cell Structure Flashcards
What is a light microscope used for?
Observing living and dead organisms
What are the pros and cons of a light microscope?
Pros: cheap, portable, can view live specimens
Cons: low resolution, low magnification
What is the formula to calculate magnification size?
Magnification = image size / actual size
How do we work out image size?
Use a ruler and measure the image
What is magnification?
A measure of how much larger the image of a specimen looks under the microscope
What is resolution?
The ability to distinguish between two adjacent points as seperate
Why do electron microscopes give a clearer image than light microscopes?
The wavelength of light limits resolution as it is long. Electron microscopes have a higher resolution due to shorter wavelength of electrons.
By which process are large quantities of cell organelles collected?
Cell fractionation
What is cell fractionation?
the process of breaking up cells to separate out the organelles
The tissues to be fractionated are stored in a cold, buffered, isotonic solution, why?
Cold - reduces enzyme activity
Isotonic - prevents bursting or shrinking due to osmosis
Buffered - prevent denaturing of organelles
What are the two stages of cell fractionation?
Homogenisation and ultracentrifugation
What is homogenisation?
Breaking up the cells in a blender to release the organelles into the homogenate
What is the homogenate?
Fluid contains cell organelles
Why is the homogenate filtered before ultracentrifugation?
Remove whole cells and large debris
How is ultracentrifugation carried out?
Homogenate loaded into a centrifuge which spins the solution until the heaviest particles collect at the bottom of the tube. Remaining fluid collected and spun again at a higher speed. Process repeated as lighter organelles come out at higher speeds
What is the fluid collected from the centrifuge called?
Supernatant
In what order do organelles come out the centrifuge?
- Nuclei
- Chloroplasts/ mitochondria
- Lysosomes
What is a transmission electron microscope used for?
Observing the internal ultra structure of cells under high magnification and resolution
What is a scanning electron microscope used for?
Viewing the surface of objects under high magnification and resolution
What are the limitations of a TEM?
- Must be in a vacuum
- Complex preparation
- Specimen must be thin
- May create artifacts
What is the difference between a TEM and a SEM?
TEM sends a beam of electrons through the specimen while a SEM bounces electrons off the surface
What is the difference between light and electron microscopes?
Light uses lenses to focus a beam of light while an electron uses a beam of electrons
What is the difference in images produced by a SEM and TEM?
TEM gives a 2D image while a SEM gives a 3D image
What is an eyepiece graticule?
A small ruler fitted to a light microscope’s eyepiece. it must be calibrated using a stage micrometer before being used to measure specimens
What is a sage micrometer?
A millimetre long ruler etched onto a slide, it has 100 division, each of 10 micrometers, it is used to calibrate the eyepiece graticule
What is a cells ultra structure?
The organelles that make up the cell
Describe the structure of the nucleus?
Surrounded by a double membrane (nuclear envelope) Contains chromosomes within the nucleolus, contains a jelly-like substance called the nucleoplasm
What is the function of the nucleus?
Stores the human genome, controls the cell by providing instructions for protein synthesis
What is the structure and function of the nucleolus?
Spherical region of the nucleus which produces ribosomes
What is the structure of the nuclear envelope?
A double membrane embeded with channel
proteins forming pores. Continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum.
What is the structure of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
A system of fluid filled membranes studded with ribosomes. Continuous with the nuclear membrane. Large surface area formed by folding.
What is the structure of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
A system of fluid filled membranes. No ribosomes
What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
Synthesises, stores and transports lipids and carbohydrates.
What is the structure the Golgi apparatus?
A stack of flattened membrane bound sacs called cisternae.
What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
Vesicles from the ER join, bringing their products. Here they are modified, by adding sugar to make glycoproteins, adding lipids to form glycolipids. It makes secretory enzymes; secretes carbohydrates; transports and modifies lipids; creates lysosomes.
What is the structure of the ribosomes?
the ribosomes?
2 subunits, large and small. Made of rRNA . 2 types 80s found in eukaryotes, 70s found in prokaryotes.
What is the function of the ribosomes?
Proteins synthesised here
What is the structure of the mitochondria?
Double membrane bound. Inner membrane folded into cristae within a fluid filled matrix. Contain own DNA and 70s ribosomes.
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Site of aerobic respiration, producing ATP
What is the structure of the lysosomes?
Membrane bound sacs containing hydrolytic (digestive) enzymes and lysozymes
What is the function of the lysosomes?
Break down old organelles and foreign matter for reuse. Hydrolyse ingested material. Release enzymes to destroy other substances. Break down the cell after cell death (autolysis).
What is the structure of the chloroplasts?
Double membrane bound. Inner membrane forms flat discs filled with chlorophyll called thylakoids, in stacks called granum. These are surrounded by a fluid matrix called the stroma. Contain own DNA and 70s ribosomes.