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Biology > Cell structure and Microscopes > Flashcards

Cell structure and Microscopes Flashcards

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1
Q

define resolution

A

resolution is the minimum distance apart that two objects can be in order for them to appear as separate items

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2
Q

what is the equation for magnification

A

image size/object size

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3
Q

define magnification

A

the increase in the size of an object when viewed through a microscope or other optical device

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4
Q

How do laser scanning confocal microscopes work?

A

they use a laser to only visualise a very narrow region of the sample

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5
Q

how do light microscopes work?

A

light (source of image) passes through the specimen and focused on an eyepiece which magnifies the image

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6
Q

How do electron microscopes work?

A

the electron (source of image) beam passes though the specimen and are focused using electromagnetic lenses. the electron beam has a very short wavelength and so has a high resolving power

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7
Q

what is the ability to reproduce detail known as?

A

the resolving power or resolution

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8
Q

define the details of a light microscope

A
  • focused through a lens
  • x1500 magnification
  • 0.2 micrometers resolution
  • live specimen can be used
  • can use both section and external view of specimen
  • cheap
  • image viewed directly
  • staining is required
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9
Q

define details of a transmission electron microscope (TEM)

A
  • focused through EM condenser
  • 50 x 10^6 magnification
  • 0.1 nm resolution
  • live specimen not used
  • section of specimen used
  • expensive (1.5 million)
  • computer screen to see image
  • staining is required
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10
Q

define details of a scanning electron microscope (SEM)

A
  • focused through EM condenser
  • 1.5 x 10^6 magnification
  • 0.02 micrometers resolution
  • live specimen not used
  • external view of specimen use
  • cost in between
  • computer screen to see image
  • staining is required
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11
Q

what is a stain?

A

used to increase contrast so that individual subcellular structures can be identified more easily e.g. methylene blue

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12
Q

what is an artefact?

A

things that you can see down the microscope that aren’t part of the cell or specimen that you’re looking at e.g. dust, fingerprints (created from a stain or the incorrect preparation of a slide)

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13
Q

wavelength - resolution

A

the shorter the wavelength, the higher the resolution

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14
Q

Limitations of TEM

A
  • must be in a vacuum so no living species
  • complex staining process
  • not in colour
  • section needs to be very thin
  • image may contain artefacts
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15
Q

why can’t 0.1 nm always be used as the resolving power for the TEM?

A
  • difficulties preparing specimen limits resolution
  • higher energy electron beam required and may destroy specimen
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16
Q

what do we use to mesaure the size of objects when using a light microscope?

A

Eyepiece Graticule

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17
Q

What is an eyepiece graticule?

A

glass disc in the eyepiece with scale etched on it (usually 10 mm long with subdivision)

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18
Q

Why can’t a graticule be used to directly measure objects under the microscope?

A

With different objects, the objective lens will magnify to a different degree so it needs to be calibrated for a particular objective lens

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19
Q

How do we calibrate an eyepiece graticule?

A

Using a stage micrometer

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20
Q

What is a stage micrometer?

A

It has a scale etched onto it and it is placed on the stage of the microscope (usually 2 mm long and smallest subdivisions are 0.01 mm)

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21
Q

How do you calculate the scale for different objective lenses (graticule and micrometer)?

A

Dividing the differences in magnification

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22
Q

What are all the sub cellular structures in a eukaryotic cell?

A

Nucleus
Mitochondria
Ribosomes
Golgi apparatus
Endoplasmic reticulum
lysosomes
Centrioles

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23
Q

What extra sub cellular structures do plant cells have?

A

Permanent Vacuole
Chloroplast
Cell wall

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24
Q

What is the shape and size of the nucleus?

A

Spherical in shape and between 10 and 20 micrometers in diameter

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25
Q

What is the nuclear envelope?

A
  • It’s a double membrane that surrounds the nucleus
  • Its outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and it often has ribosomes on the surface
  • Controls the entry and exit of materials in the nucleus
  • Contains the reactions taking place within the nucleus
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26
Q

What are nuclear pores?

A
  • Allows the passage of large molecules (messenger RNA)out of the nucleus
  • around 3000 pores in each nucleus (40-100 nm diameter)
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27
Q

What is the nucleoplasm?

A

Granular, jelly-like material that makes up the bulk of the nucleus

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28
Q

What are chromosomes?

A

They consist of protein-bound, linear DNA (the ends of the DNA are not joined to form a loop)

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29
Q

What is the nucleolus?

A
  • A small spherical region in the nucleoplasm
  • Manufactures ribosomal RNA and assembles the ribosomes
  • May be more than one nucleolus in a nucleus
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30
Q

What are the functions of the nucleus?

A
  • To act as the control centre through production of mRNA and tRNA (so protein synthesis)
  • Retain genetic material of cell in form of DNA and chromosomes
  • Manufacture ribosomal RNA and ribosomes
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31
Q

What are chromatins?

A
  • They are the dark patches and they consist of DNA coiled around proteins called histones
  • Together they form chromosomes
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32
Q

What is the endoplasmic reticulum?

A
  • An elaborate 3D system of sheet-like membranes, spreading throughout the cytoplasm
  • Continuous with the outer nuclear membranes
  • The membranes enclose a network of tubules and flattened sacs called cisternae
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33
Q

What are the two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum?

A

Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic Reticulum

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34
Q

What are the functions of endoplasmic reticulum?

A
  • It has ribosomes present on the outer surface of the membranes
  • It provides a large surface area for synthesis of proteins and glycoproteins
  • Provides a pathway for transport of materials, especially proteins, throughout the cell
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35
Q

What are the functions of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

A
  • No ribosomes on surface and often more tubular in appearance
  • It synthesises, stores and transports lipids and carbohydrates
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36
Q

What is the Golgi apparatus?

A

Consists of a stack of membranes that make up flattened sacs, or cisternae, with small rounded hollow structures called vesicles

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37
Q

What happens to the proteins and lipids produced by the ER?

A
  • They pass though the Golgi apparatus in a strict sequence
  • They are modified by the Golgi and often have non-protein components added to them (e.g. carbohydrates)
  • They are also labelled so they can be sorted and sent to correct destinations
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38
Q

What happens to the proteins and lipids once they are sorted in the Golgi?

A
  • They are transported in Golgi vesicles which are regularly pinched off from the ends of the Golgi cisternae
  • The vesicles may move to the cell surface, where they fuse with the membrane and release the contents outside
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39
Q

What are the functions of the Golgi apparatus?

A
  • add carbohydrates to proteins to make glycoproteins
  • produce secretory enzymes
  • secrete carbohydrates
  • transport, modify and store lipids
  • form lysosomes
40
Q

What are mitochondria?

A
  • They are the sites of the aerobic stages of respiration and so are responsible for the production of ATP
  • They are usually rod shaped and 1-10 micrometers in length
41
Q

What is the structure of a mitochondria?

A
  • There is a double membrane around the organelle that controls the entry and exit of material
  • The inner membrane folds to form Cristae
42
Q

What are cristae?

A
  • Extensions of the inner membrane
  • They provide a large surface area for the attachment of enzymes and other proteins involved in respiration
43
Q

Apart from the cristae and the membranes, what makes up the remainder of the mitochondria?

A

The matrix

44
Q

What does the matrix of the mitochondria contain?

A
  • Proteins, lipids, ribosomes and DNA that allow the mitochondria to control the production of some of their own proteins
  • Many enzymes involved in respiration are found in the matrix
45
Q

When is the number and size of mitochondria high in cells?

A

When they have a high level of metabolic activity and need a lot of ATP

46
Q

What is a chloroplast?

A

The site of photosynthesis (disc-shaped and 2-10 micrometers long, 1 micrometer in diameter)

47
Q

What is the chloroplast envelope?

A

A double plasma membrane that surrounds the organelle. Highly selective in what leaves and enters

48
Q

What are the grana?

A
  • They are stacks of up to 100 disc-like structures called thylakoids
  • Some thylakoids have tubular extensions (lamellae) that join up with adjacent grana
  • First stage of photosynthesis takes place in grana
49
Q

What is the stroma?

A

A fluid-filled matrix where second stage of photosynthesis takes place. There are a number of structures in stroma(starch grains)

50
Q

How are chloroplasts adapted to their function?

A
  • Granal membranes
  • The fluid in the stroma
  • The chloroplasts
51
Q

How are granal membranes adapted to their function?

A

They have a large surface area for attachment of chlorophyll, electron carriers and enzymes (all of which are attached in a highly ordered fashion)

52
Q

What does the fluid of stroma possess?

A

All the enzymes needed to make sugars

53
Q

What do chloroplasts contain?

A

DNA and ribosomes to easily manufacture some of the proteins needed for photosynthesis

54
Q

What are lysosomes?

A
  • Formed when vesicles from the Golgi apparatus contain enzymes
  • They contain lysozomes, enzymes that hydrolyse the cell walls of certain bacteria
  • They isolate these enzymes from the rest of the cell before releasing them, to the outside or into a phagocytic vesicle in the cell
  • Up to 1 micrometer in diameter
55
Q

What are the functions of lysosomes?

A
  • To hydrolyse material ingested by phagocytic cells
  • Release enzymes to outside of cell (exocytosis) to destroy material around cell
  • To digest worn out organelles so useful chemicals can be re-used
  • Completely break down cells after they have died (autolysis)
56
Q

What are ribosomes?

A

Small cytoplasmic granules found in all cells. Many occur in cytoplasm or associated with RER

57
Q

What are the 2 types of ribosomes?

A

80S and 70S

58
Q

Where are 80S found?

A

Eukaryotic cells, around 25 nm in diameter

59
Q

Where are 70 S found?

A

Prokaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts, they are slightly smaller

60
Q

What are ribosomes made up of?

A

2 subunits, one large and one small, each of which contain ribosomal RNA and protein

61
Q

How much of the dry mass of a cell can they account up to for?

A

25%

62
Q

What are Centrioles?

A

-Small protein tubes of microtubules
- They form fibres in cell division known as spindles which separate chromosomes

63
Q

What do cell walls consist of?

A

Microfibrils of the polysaccharide cellulose, embedded in a matrix

64
Q

How strong are microfibrils?

A

They have considerable strength and contribute to the overall strength of the cell wall

65
Q

What are the features of a cell wall?

A
  • They consist of a number of polysacharrides
  • There is a thin layer, middle lamella, which marks the boundary between adjacent cell walls and cements adjacent cells together
66
Q

What are the functions of the cellulose cell wall?

A
  • Provide mechanical strength in order to prevent the cell from bursting under the pressure by the entry of water by osmosis
  • Give mechanical strength to the plant as a whole
  • To allow water to pass along it and so to contribute to the movement of water along the plant
67
Q

What are cell walls of algae made up of?

A

Either cellulose, glycoprotein or mixtures of both

68
Q

What are cell walls of fungi made up of?

A

They don’t contain cellulose but comprise a mixture of a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide called chitin, a polysaccharide called glycan and glycoproteins

69
Q

What are vacuoles?

A

A fluid-filled sac bounded by a single membrane, called the tonoplast

70
Q

What do vacuoles contain?

A

A solution of mineral salts, sugars, amino acids, wastes and sometimes pigments such as anthocymins

71
Q

What do vacuoles support?

A

Herbaceous plants and herbaceous parts of woody plants, by making cells turgid

72
Q

How are the sugars and amino acids in a vacuole beneficial?

A

They may act as a temporary food store

73
Q

What can the pigments in a vacuole do?

A

Colour petals to attract pollinating insects

74
Q

What are the size of prokaryotic cells?

A

They are small, ranging from 0.1-10 micrometers in length

75
Q

What is the cell wall made up of in a prokaryote?

A

Murein - polymer of polysaccharides and peptides
(may also be known as peptidoglycan)

76
Q

How do some bacteria further protect themselves?

A

By secreting a capsule of mucilaginous slime around the cell wall

77
Q

Apart from the cell wall, what also surrounds a prokaryotic cell?

A

The cell-surface-membrane (made from phospholipids)

78
Q

What type of ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm in a prokaryote?

A

70s - smaller than in eukaryotic cells but still synthesise proteins

79
Q

How do bacteria store food reserves?

A

Glycogen granules and oil droplets

80
Q

How is genetic material stored in a prokaryote?

A

In the form of a circular strand of DNA

81
Q

How is DNA also stored in a prokaryote?

A
  • As smaller, circular pieces of DNA, plasmids
  • These can reproduce themselves independently and may give the bacterium resistance to harmful chemicals (antibiotics)
  • They are used extensively as vectors in genetic engineering
82
Q

What is the role of the cell wall in a prokaryote?

A

A physical barrier that excludes certain substances and protects against mechanical damage and osmotic lysis

83
Q

What is the role of the capsule in a prokaryote?

A

It protects bacterium from other cells and helps groups of bacteria to stick together for further protection

84
Q

What is the role of the cell-surface-membrane in a prokaryote?

A

It acts as a differentially permeable layer, which controls the entry and exit of chemicals

85
Q

What is the role of the circular DNA in a prokaryote?

A

Posesses the genetic information for the replication of bacterial cells

86
Q

What is the role of a plasmid in a prokaryote?

A

Posesses genes that may aid the survival of bacteria in adverse conditions (produces enzymes that break down antibiotics)

87
Q

Are there any membrane-bound organelles in a prokaryote?

A

No

88
Q

Are there any chloroplasts in a prokaryotic cell?

A

No - only bacterial chlorophyll associated with the cell - surface membrane in some bacteria

89
Q

What are viruses?

A

Acellular, non-living particles

90
Q

How small are viruses?

A

20-300 nm

91
Q

How do viruses store their genetic material?

A

They contain nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA

92
Q

Where is the only place viruses can multiply?

A

All viruses are parasitic in that they can only reproduce by infecting living cells and using their ribosomes to produce new viral particles (can only multiply inside living host cells)

93
Q

Where is the nucleic acid in a virus located?

A

It is enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid

94
Q

What is on the outer surface of a capsid or outer membrane of a virus?

A

Attachment proteins which are essential to allow the virus to identify and attach to a host cell

95
Q

What do viruses sometimes have?

A

An outer layer called an envelope formed usually from the membrane - phospholipids of a cell they were made in

Biology (12 decks)

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