Cell Biology Flashcards
State the function of the stage.
This is where the the microscope slide is placed.
State the function of the lamp.
This provides illumination. The light from the lamp shines through the specimen and into the objective lens.
State the function of the objective lenses.
These magnify the object.
State the function of the eyepiece.
This is where the specimen is viewed. The eyepiece lens has a magnification of 10x.
State the function of the coarse focussing lens.
This allows us to rapidly move the stage towards and away from the objective lens, focussing the image.
State the function of the fine focussing dial.
This moves the stage by a very small amount, allowing us to focus on fine detail.
Describe how to use a light microscope.
-First, we place the slide on a stage and secure it with clips. This prevents the slide from moving around while we are observing the specimen.
-Then, we adjust the objective lens to the lowest power.
-After, we use the coarse focussing dial so that the objective lens is almost touching the slide.
-While we do this, we should look at the microscope from the side rather than the eyepiece to prevent the slide from hitting the objective lens.
-When the objective lens is almost touching the slide, we can look down the eyepiece and use the fine focussing dial until the cells come into focus.
Give the equation for magnification.
Magnification = size of image/ actual size of object
How are millimetres converted to micrometres.
Millimetres x1000 = Micrometres
Micrometres/ 1000 = Millimetres
Describe how to prepare an animal cheek cell slide.
-Use a wooden spatula to scrape the inside of the mouth
-Add the cell tissue to the slide
-Add one small drop of methylene blue
-Cover the slide with a cover slip- try to avoid air bubbles
-Place under a microscope with lowest magnification on first and secure with slips
-Draw a diagram of the observations and add labels
Describe how to prepare an onion cell slide.
-Place two drops of water on a slide
-Peel off a layer of tissue from the onion and flatten on the slide
-Place two drops of iodine solution on the onion cells
-Cover the slide with a cover slip- try to avoid air bubbles
-Place under a microscope with lowest magnification on first and secure with slips
-Draw a diagram of the observations and add labels
Give the Advantages of Light Microscopes.
-Small/ portable
-Cheap
-Easy to use
-Used to examine living cells
Give the Disadvantages of Light Microscopes
-Resolution is limited so they cannot be used to study sub-cellular structures
-Low magnification sizes
Give the Advantages of Electron Microscopes.
-High resolution so can be used to study sub-cellular structures
-High magnification sizes
Give the Disadvantages of Electron Microscopes
-Large/difficult to transport
-Expensive
-Hard to use
-Can’t examine living cells
State the function of the nucleus.
The nucleus controls the activities of the cell and contains the cell’s genetic material.
State the function of cytoplasm.
Cytoplasm is a watery solution in which other organelles are held and where most chemical reactions in the cell take place.
State the function of ribosomes.
Ribosomes are where proteins are synthesised in the cell.
State the function of the cell membrane.
The cell membrane controls the molecules that enter and leave the cell such as glucose or hormones.
State the function of mitochondria.
Mitochondria is where aerobic respiration takes place in the cell.
State the function of the cell wall.
The cell wall is made of cellulose. It strengthens the cell and gives it support.
State the function of the vacuole.
The vacuole is a hole in the cytoplasm filled with sap. It is important for keeping the cell rigid and giving the cell its shape.
State the function of chloroplasts.
Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll. The chlorophyll traps the light energy needed for photosynthesis.
State the function of the flagellum.
They are long proteins which wave around to help the bacteria to move.
State the function of the cytoplasm.
This is where the reactions of the cell take place.
State the function of plasmid DNA.
These are small circles of DNA which codes (gives instructions) for specific properties e.g. antibiotic resistance.
State the function of free DNA.
This is DNA that controls the cell and is passed on in replication (not in a nucleus).
State the function of the cell wall.
This gives the cell its shape (like plants) and is made from sugars and proteins (not cellulose).
State the function of the cell membrane.
This controls what enters and leaves the cell. It is a partially permeable membrane.
Compare the sizes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes:
-most are between 5 and 100 micrometres
Prokaryotes:
-most are between 0.2 and 2 micrometres
Compare the outer layers of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes: cell membrane is surrounded by cell wall (in plants and fungi)
Prokaryotes: cell membrane is surrounded by cell wall
Compare the contents of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes:
- they contain cytoplasm, ribosomes, cell organelles include mitochondria and there are chloroplasts in plants
Prokaryotes:
-they contain cytoplasm and ribosomes, but no mitochondria or chloroplasts
Compare the genetic material of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes:
-DNA in a nucleus - plasmids are found in a few simple eukaryotic organisms
Prokaryotes:
-DNA is a single molecule, found free in the cytoplasm - additional DNA is found on one or more rings called plasmids
Compare the type of cell division used by eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotes:
-these cells divide by mitosis
Prokaryotes:
-these cells divide by binary fission
What are chromosomes and genes?
A chromosome is a long strand of DNA found in the nucleus. There are 23 pairs of chromosomes which contain genes.
Genes are a section of DNA coding for a characteristic
Describe the stages in the cell cycle.
-The DNA replicates to form two copies of each chromosome. The cell grows and copies its internal structures such as mitochondria and ribosomes
-This is mitosis. One set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell. The nucleus also divides.
-The cytoplasm and cell membrane divide to form two identical cells.
Describe three functions of cell division by mitosis.
-Mitosis is required for growth and development e.g. for a growing foetus. This is the case of multicellular organisms (plants and animals including humans)
-Mitosis is required for repair of body tissue e.g. healing the skin if there is a cut
-Mitosis takes place during asexual reproduction. This is when organisms reproduce without the need for a partner. This is apparent in a large number of plants and some animals.
Why does the use of mitosis change in mature animals?
Mature animals have stopped growing so it is only needed for healing and repairing the body.
What is a specialised cell?
A specialised cell is a cell that performs a specific role in an organism.
Describe how a sperm cell is specialised to perform its function.
Long tail- allows the sperm to swim to the ovum
Streamlined shape- makes it easier for the sperm to swim to the ovum
Lots of mitochondria- carry out respiration to provide the energy required for swimming
Enzymes- Required to digest the outer layer of the ovum so the sperm’s nucleus can pass into the ovum