Cells Flashcards
What is cell fractionation?
Process where cells are broken up and organelles are separated out of the cell
What are the conditions needed for cell fractionation to take place?
- Cold: to rescue enzyme activity that could break down organelles
- Same water potential as the solution: to prevent organelles from bursting/shrinking due to osmosis
- Buffered: so pH does not change which could change the structure of organelles/functioning of enzymes
What are the steps of cell fractionation?
- Homogenisation: Breaks up plasma membrane and releases organelles
- Filtration: Solution is filtered through a gauze which separates large cell debris from organelles. As organelles are smaller than the debris, they pass through the gauze.
- Centrifugation: Centrifugal force causes the most dense organelles to form a pellet at the bottom of the tube. Speed increases to remove the supernatant and leave pellets behind
What is the order of organelle size?
Largest: Nucleus Chloroplast Mitochondria Lysosome Rough Endoplasmic reticulum Ribosomes Smallest
What is the equation for magnification?
Image size / actual size
What is resolution and magnification?
Resolution -resolving power- ability to distinguish between two objects
Magnification- How many times bigger the image is compared to the actual object
What are the comparisons between electron and light microscopes?
Electron microscopes have a short wavelength compared to light therefore a higher resolving power
Electrons are negatively charged so beam can be focused using electromagnets
Electron microscopes have a higher magnification
Light microscopes can be used to view living things whereas optical cant
Light microscopes are cheaper/easier to use compared to electron
Electron microscopes have to be in a vacuum, light microscopes do not
What is the max magnification and revolution of a light microscope?
x1500 + 200nm
What is the max magnification and revolution of an electron microscope?
x1500000 + 0.1-0.2nm
What are the differences between SEM and TEM?
TEM
Beam passes through specimen
Produces 2D image
SEM
Beam is on the surface of the specimen from above
Produces a 3D image
Lower resolution than TEM
What is an eyepiece graticule?
Glass disk placed in the lens of microscope which has as scale on - usually 10mm long and has 100 sub divisions
What needs to be done before using an eyepiece graticule? + how is this done?
Calibrated for a particular lens:
Using a stage micrometer (special slide), this is usually 2mm long and has small division of 0.01 mm
Eyepiece graticule and micrometer need to be lined up to calculate the length of the divisions on the eyepiece graticule
What is the structure of the nucleus?
Nuclear envelope: Double membrane which controls the entry/exit of materials in the nucleus and the reactions
Nuclear pores: Allow the passage of large molecules like mRNA
Nucleolus: creates rRNA + assembles ribosomes
Chromosomes: contains protein bound, linear DNA
What is the function of the nucleus?
Controls all activities in the cell
Produces mRNA and tRNA for protein synthesis
Contains DNA
Produces rRNA + ribosomes
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Produces ATP and transfers energy from respiration
What is the structure of mitochondria?
Double membrane- inner membrane is invaginated which forms cristae
Cristae- gives a large surface area for respiration
Matrix- contains proteins, lipids, ribosomes, DNA to control production of proteins
What is the function of chloroplasts?
Carry out photosynthesis
What is the structure of chloroplasts?
Double membrane
Grana- stacks of disc like structures called thylakoids, where chlorophyll is stored
Stroma- location of starch grains and a fluid filled matrix
What is the function of rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Provides a large surface area for synthesis of glycoproteins/proteins
Provides a pathway for material transport like proteins
What is the structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum?
Has ribosomes on outer surface
What is the function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Synthesises, stores and transports lipids/carbohydrates
What is the structure of smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
No ribosomes/more tubular than RER