Chapter 2: Basic components of living systems Flashcards
What are the different types of microscopes?
- Light microscopes
*Transmission electron microscopes
*Scanning electron microscopes
*Laser scanning confocal microscopes
features of light microscope?
- Poor resolution due to long wavelength of light
*Living samples can be examined - Colour image can be obtained
features of TEM?
- high magnification and resolution
*electrons pass through specimen to create image
features of SEM?
*high magnification and resolution
*electrons bounce off the surface of specimen to create image
features of LSCM?
- high resolution
*3D imaging
*laser light is used to create image
what is the difference between resolution and magnification?
Resolution - the minimum distance between two objects in which they can still be viewed as separate.
Magnification - How many times larger the image is compared to the specimen
Formula for magnification?
magnification = image/ actual
types of sample preparations
- Dry mount
*Wet mount
*Squash slides
*Smear slides
Dry mount prep
Thin slices or whole specimens are viewed with just cover slip placed on top
wet mount
specimen added to water before lowering coverslip with a mounted needle to prevent air bubbles
squash slide
wet mounts which you push down on coverslip after to squash specimen to ensure a thin layer for light to pass is produced
smear slides
created using edge of another slide to smear sample to create thin, smooth, even coated specimen, coverslip placed on top after smear
staining
used to make certain cells and components more visible under a microscope
electron microscope
*a beam of electrons has a very short wavelength which means there will be a high resolution
*image is created using electromagnet
*EM must be in vacuum as electrons are absorbed by air therefore non living organisms can be visualised
cell theory
*both plant and animal tissue is composed of cells
*cells are the basic unit of all life
*cells only develop from existing cells
cell theory: 1665
cells first observed by Robert Hooke using thinly sliced cork