Cell Basics and Microscopes Flashcards
What is vitalism?
The understanding that “organisms are different from non-living entities because they contain non-physical elements or are governed by different principles than inanimate things”
What are the three domains in the universal phylogenetic tree?
bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes
Briefly describe the complexity of bacteria and archaea
They are exclusively microscopic and have very simple structures, however their metabolisms are a lot more complex.
What is cell theory?
All living organisms are composed of cells.
The cell is the basic unit of life.
Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Why are viruses not living?
Not made of cells, cannot metabolise outside of a host.
What are the two types of cells?
Prokaryotes and eukaryotes
What organisms consist of prokaryotic cells?
Bacteria and archaea
What organisms consist of eukaryotic cells?
Plants, animals, protists and fungi
List four basic features of all cells
Ribosomes, chromosomes, cytosol/cytoplasm and a plasma membrane
Why is the the surface to volume ratio important?
The greater the S-to-V ratio, the better the possibility for efficient exchange of nutrients and waste.
How can contrast be enhanced when looking at a specimen through a light microscope?
Staining using a dye.
What does a microscopes image quality rely on?
Magnification, contrast and resolution.
What are electron microscopes used for?
To study sub cellular structures.
How do EMs work?
They fire electrons through the sample. Electrons have a shorter wavelength than visible light, so there is no resolution limit.
Name two types of electron microscopes.
Scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes.
