cell structure Flashcards
what is magnification
how much larger something looks compared to its actual size
what is resolution
the ability to distinguish from two points
why should cells be kept cold before homogenisation
stop enzymes from reacting and breaking down cell organelles
why should cells be kept in an isotonic solution before homogenisation
it contains salts and sugars needed to prevent osmosis in the cells
why should cells be kept in a buffer before homogenisation
to prevent enzymes from denaturing due to pH fluctuation
how are cells homogenised
mixed in a homogeniser at controlled conditions and then filtered to remove large bits of cell wall / membrane
what is ultracentrifugation
cell fragments are placed in a centrifuge and spun at a low speed
what is produced after ultracentrifugation
heavier organelles fall to the bottom to from a pellet and the remaining liquid at the top is the supernatant
how to get smaller organelles out of ultracentrifugation
repeat the process spinning the supernatant at increasing speeds
why should the homogenate be put evenly each side of the centrifuge
because it works with gravity so needs to be balanced
what is the order of cell organelles produced after ultracentrifugation
nuclei
- chloroplast
mitochondria
lysosomes
ribosomes
how does a transmission electron microscope work
it fires electrons through a thin piece of specimen
the electron beam is focused using an electromagnet and denser parts of the specimen absorbs more electrons so appears darker
an image is produced on photographic paper
why is at TEM better than a light microscope
beams of electrons have a shorter wavelength than light
They can magnify an object up to 500,000 times
high resolving power
limitations of a TEM
living specimen cannot be used because the whole system is a vacuum
specimen must be very thin
chemically fixing the specimen is time consuming
this can result in artifacts
only 2D images are captured but they ca be built up to make 3D)
expensive
what is an artifact
accidentally ruining a sample
how does a scanning electron microscope work
electrons are passed across the surface of the specimen
scattered electrons form an image on the screen
depressions appear dark and extensions appear light
3D appearance
good things about SEM
3D images
500,000 magnification
less chance of an artifact because prep is less complex
specimen don’t have to be cut so thin
limitations of an SEM
resolving power is lower
expensive
what is the structure and function of the cell surface membrane
s-phospholipid bi-layer
f-regulates the transport of materials in and out of the cell
what is the structure and function of the nucleus
s-it contains a nuclear envelope, nucleolus, and chromosones
f- to hold genetic material for the cell
what is the function of the nucleolus
synthesis of ribosomes
what is the structure and function of the nuclear envelope
s- porus
f- messenger RNA and ribosomes leave
what is the structure and functions of the chromosomes
s - protein bound linear DNA found in a diffuse form
f - copying genetic material accurately during cell division
what is the structure and function of the mitochondria
s- cristae is the folded inner membrane , matrix contains proteins, lipids , ribosomes and DNA
f - aerobic respiration and production of ATP
what is the structure and function of chloroplast
s- outer membrane, inner membrane and thylakoid membrane which separates the intermembrane space, thylakoid and stroma
f- photosynthesis
what is the structure and function of the golgi body
s- a stack of flattened stacks surrounded by membranes
f- packages and modifies proteins, processes enzymes, secretes carbohydrates
what is the structure and function of lysosomes
s - small vesicles produced by the golgi body
f- contains digestive enzymes(lysozymes) which hydrolyses old cell organelles or pathogens
fagocytes contain a lot
what is the structure and function of ribosomes
s- tiny granuals made from two subunits
that exist in two sizes 80s in eukaryotic cells and 70s in prokaryotic cells
f - protein synthysis