Chapter 2 Basic Components Of Living Systems Flashcards
State the different techniques of preparing slides
Wet mount
Dry mount
Squash slide
Smear slide
How is a dry mount slide prepared?
Specimen is thinly sliced and placed onto the slide with a cover slip over the top
Eg, hair, muscle, plant tissue
How is a wet mount prepared?
Specimen is suspended in a liquid
A cover slip is placed at an angle reducing air bubbles
A stain can be added by placing a drop next to the cover slip
Place a paper towel on the opposite end to draw the dye under
Eg, aquatic organisms
How is a squash slide prepared?
Wet mount prepared first
Lens tissue used to press down cover slip
The sample is squashed between the slides
Eg, root tip samples
How is a smear slide prepared?
Edge of slide smears sample onto another slide creating a thin even coating
Cover slip placed over sample
Eg, blood
Why is staining used to view biological specimens?
Increases visibility
Improves contrast
What is differential staining?
Techniques which involves many chemical stains being used to stain different parts of a cell in different colours.
Give examples of stains that are used to stain negatively charged materials
Positively charged
Crystal violet
Methylene blue
Give examples of stains used to stain the backgrounds of cells
Negatively charged cannot enter cells as cytosol repels them
Nigrosin
Congo red
What is resolution?
The ability to distinguish between two close together objects
What is the equation for magnification?
Size of image / actual size of object
State the two types of electron microscopes
Transmission electron microscope
Scanning electron microscope
State the microscope with the highest resolution
TEM
State the microscope with the lowest resolution
Light microscope
State the microscope with the highest magnification
TEM
State the microscope with the lowest magnification
Light microscope
How does a TEM work?
Electromagnets focus a beam of electrons which are transmitted through the specimen.
Denser areas of specimen absorb more electrons and appear darker.
What image does a TEM create?
Black and white
2D
How does a SEM work?
Scans a beam of electrons across a specimen
Beam is reflected and the electrons are detected forming the image.
What image does a SEM create?
Black and white
3D
Give examples of stains used for electron microscopes
Samples are coated in heavy metals such as lead
Evaluate the use of TEM
Strength
Higher resolution- internal structures visible
Weakness
Live specimen cannot be viewed due to vacuum
Artefacts can distort viewing
Black and white image
Only thin specimens viewed
Evaluate use of SEM
Strength
View thick specimens
3D image
Weakness
Lower resolution
Live specimen cannot be observed
Black and white image
What are artefacts?
A detail caused by the preparation of a specimen, not an actual feature.
Why are artefacts more likely to occur using electron microscopes?
Longer preparation process than light microscopes- more likely to damage specimens
State the function of the plasma membrane in cells
Controls the movements of substances into and out of the cell
Contains receptors which have a role in cell signalling
State the function of the cell wall
Provides structural support to plant cells
Describe the structure of the Nucleus
Organelle surrounded by a double membrane nuclear envelope containing pores.
Contains chromatin and nucleolus