B1 - cell level systems Flashcards
what’s the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
eukaryotes are made from complex cells called eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes are smaller and are made up of simpler cells called prokaryotic cells (both types of cells contain sub-cellular structures)
what structures are found within eukaryotic cells?
- nucleus (a + p)
- cytoplasm (a + p)
- mitochondria (a + p)
- ribosomes (a + p)
- cell membrane (a + p)
- cell wall (p)
- chloroplasts (p)
what does the nucleus do?
it contains DNA (genetic material) in the form of chromosomes that controls the cell’s activities
what does the cytoplasm do?
it’s a gel-like substance where most of the chemical reactions happen
what do the mitochondria do?
these are the site of cellular respiration and contain the enzymes needed for the reactions involved
what do the ribosomes do?
these are where proteins are made in the cell
what does the cell membrane do?
it holds the cell together and controls what goes in and out by providing a selective barrier; they also contain receptor molecules that are used for cell communication e.g. by hormones
what does the rigid cell wall do?
it’s made of cellulose and provides support for the cell
what do the chloroplasts do?
this is where photosynthesis occurs, they contain a green substance called chlorophyll
what structures are found within prokaryotic cells?
- chromosomal DNA
- plasmids
- cell membrane
what does the chromosomal DNA do?
it consists of one long circular chromosome which controls the cell’s activities and replication, it floats free in the cytoplasm (not in a nucleus)
what do the plasmids do?
these are small loops of extra DNA that aren’t part of the chromosome; plasmids contain genes for things like drug resistance, and can’t be passed between bacteria
what does the cell membrane do?
controls what goes in and out, the cell is also supported by a cell wall
how are microscopes used to study cells?
microscopes use lenses to magnify images; they also increase the resolution of an image, this means they increase the detail you can see
what is resolution?
resolution is how well a microscope distinguishes between two points that are close together
what are the different types of microscopes?
light microscopes and electron microscopes (TEM and SEM)
what do light microscopes do?
they were invented in the 1590s and allow us to see things like nuclei and chloroplasts
what do electron microscopes do?
they were invented in the 1930s and allow us to see much smaller things in more detail (like the internal structure of mitochondria)- this has allowed us to have a much greater understanding of sub-cellular structures; only electron microscopes will let us see things as tiny as plasmids or viruses
what is the resolution of the light microscope?
up to 2x10^-7m
how does the light microscope work?
by passing light through the sample
describe three advantages of the light microscope
- they are small and portable
- they’re cheap to buy and operate
- it’s simple to prepare samples
describe one disadvantage of the light microscope
- lower resolution and limited magnification (1500x)
what is the light microscope used for?
to observe living and dead specimens
what are the two types of electron microscope?
- transmission electron microscope (TEM)
- scanning electron microscope (SEM)
what is the resolution of the TEM?
up to 1x10^-10m
how does the TEM work?
by passing a beam of electrons through a very thin section (slice) of a sample; the beam focuses and produces an image
describe one advantage of the TEM
- allowed scientists to view detailed images
describe three disadvantages of the TEM
- its large and difficult to move
- expensive to buy and operate
- sections have to be very thin to be used (around 100nm)
what is the TEM used for?
viewing sub cellular structures like nuclei, mitochondria and chloroplasts
describe one advantage of the SEM
- they provide detailed 3D images
describe three disadvantages of the SEM
- it’s large and difficult to move
- it’s complicated to prepare a sample and the sample must be dead
- expensive to buy and operate
what is the SEM used for?
to see detailed 3D structures of cells