[3.1-3] microscopes + methods of studying cells Flashcards
methods of studying cells, the electron microscope, microscopic measurements and calculations
what is magnification?
the number of times which an image of an object can be enlarged greater than the object’s original size
what is resolution?
the ability to discern between 2 separate objects and to see them as separate from each other (clarity)
why would you use an electron microscope? (AQA question) [3]
- an electron microscope uses a beam of electrons but a light microscope uses a beam of light
- a beam of electrons has a shorter wavelength than the beam of light
- therefore, the electron microscope has a greater resolving power than the light microscope
why might the sample be damaged if it is <0.1nm?
- you would have to use high frequency and high energy,
- the sample would be damaged because on the EM spectrum, high frequency waves are dangerous and radioactive
principles of a TEM
- the e- beam is fired through a very thin sample from an e- ‘gun’ (e- source)
- electromagnets focus the e- beam
- denser parts absorb more electrons so appear darker
- e- have shorter wavelengths so give a higher resolution than light microscopes
why must the sample be very thin in TEM?
- otherwise e- cannot penetrate
- this means only 2D slices are viewable, not 3D images
how are images produced using the electron beam?
- e- are absorbed = darker areas on image
- e- pass through = lighter areas on image
> only has monochrome black and white images and 2D
why is the process for making EM samples long and complex?
- EM samples need a long processing and staining process, which is complex
- this can also produce ‘artefacts’; things that weren’t in the sample originally but were produced as a result of chemicals
why can you not view living issue in an EM?
because the entire column is in a vacuum
similarities and differences between SEM and TEM
- can see 3D structures (unlike TEM)
- still can’t see living tissue
- still need processing and staining for samples
how does the SEM (scanning electron microscope) work?
- electron beam scans back and forth
- they are reflected and scattered off the surface
- they are collected by detectors
- it is converted into an image
units of length
- 1m = 1000mm (1 × 10⁻³ m)
- 1mm = 1000µm (1 × 10⁻⁶ m)
- 1000µm = 1000nm (1 × 10⁻⁹ m)
describe the process of cell fractionation and differential (ultra) centrifrugation (6)
- break up the cell/tissue sample by chopping + blending it (‘homogenisation’)
- add ice cold isotonic buffer solution to the mixture
- filter the solution to remove debris and whole cells
- put the resulting liquid into a centrifruge and spin at increasing speeds
- remove pellet formed and re-spin supernatent at progressively higher speeds
- repeat the process; each run will yield a pellet of progressively smaller/lighter/less dense organelles (likely first pellet is nucleus, likely last pellet are ribosomes)
why does an ice cold, isotonic buffer solution need to be added to the mixture during cell fractionation?
- ice cold - reduces enzyme activity that might break organelles down eg. lysozyme
- isotonic - prevents water moving in/out by osmosis so no lysis
- buffer - maintains pH to prevent proteins (eg. enzymes) denaturing temporarily
what is an eyepiece graticule?
- a glass disc that is in the eyepiece of a microscope that has a scale etched on it
- this scale is typically 10mm long and divided into 100 sub-divisions