Module 2 Cell Structure Flashcards
What is the equation for magnification
Magnification= image size/actual size
Magnification definition
How much bigger the image is than the specimen
Resolution definition
How well a microscope distinguishes between two points that are close together, how detailed the image is.
Light microscope
Maximum resolution of about 0.2 micrometers. Used to look at whole cells or tissues. Maximum magnification is x2000. Inexpensive. Small/portable. Resolving power is 200nm. Specimens can be living/dead. Vacuum not required. Simple sample preparation. Natural colour of sample is seen.
TEM(transmission electron microscope)
Use electromagnets to focus a beam of electrons which is then transmitted through the specimen to produce 2D images. Denser parts of the specimen absorb more electrons which makes them look darker on the image. They provide high resolution images, so can see small organelles e.g ribosomes. Specimens need to be cut thinly sliced, the angles which the specimens are cut can affect how they appear. Has 0.05nm or 0.00005um max resolution. Can be more than x1,000,000 max magnification. Electrons pass through
SEM(scanning electron microscope)
Scan a beam of electrons across the specimen. This knocks off electrons from specimen, which are gathered in a cathode ray tube to form an image. Images produced show surface of specimen and can be 3D but lower resolution than TEMS. Has a 0.002 micro meter max resolution. Less than x500000 max magnification. Electrons bounce of surface
Producing electron micrographs
Treated with solution of heavy metals, this process is equivalent of staining samples that are to be viewed with a light microscope. The metal ions act to scatter the electrons that are fired to the sample and give contrast between different structures. Images produced by electron microscopes are black and white and colour is added after.
What stain can be used for DNA
Methylene blue
What stain can be used for different type of blood cells
Giemsa
Dry mount
Used for observing specimens such as hairs, pollen. Thin slice of specimen to let light through, use tweezers to put in middle of clean slide, put cover slip on top.
Wet mount
Can be used for living samples such as aquatic organisms. Pipette a drop of water on slide, tweezers to put specimen on top, put cover slip on at angle so no air bubbles
How to use a light microscope
- Clip slide onto stage 2. Select lowest powered objective lens 3. Use coarse adjustment knob to bring stage up to just below objective lens 4. Look down eyepiece, use coarse adjustment knob to move stage downwards until image is roughly in focus 5. Adjust focus with fine adjustment knob, until you get a clear image 6. If you need to see slide with greater magnification swap to a higher powered objective lens and refocus.
What is a Eukaryote
Any organism consisting of one or more cells that contain DNA in a membrane bound nucleus e.g animals, plants, fungi, protists, contain specialised membrane bound organelles.
Nucleus
A large organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope (double membrane) which contains many pores. The nucleus contains chromatin(made from DNA and proteins), which is seen as dark patches on light microscope, and a structure called nucleolus. Controls cells activity’s and genetic material and controls instructions to make proteins. The pores allow substances to move between nucleus and cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes RNA made into ribosomes. In nuclear envelope there is a nucleoplasm. Largest organelles in cell. Nuclear envelope is a dense spherical structure surrounds nucleolus, 2 membranes with fluid separating them. 1. Nuclear envelope 2. Nuclear pores 3. Chromatin 4. Nucleolus
Mitochondria
Energy generating organelle. Surrounded by 2 membranes. Inner layer folds inwards to form cristae. The cristae project into a liquid called the matrix. Inner membrane is coated in enzymes which catalyse the reactions of aerobic respiration to produce ATP. 2-5 micro meter long.
Ribosomes
Tiny organelles which can be found in cytoplasm or bound to rough endoplasmic reticulum. Each ribosome consists of 2 sub units. Site of protein synthesis. Made of proteins and RNA. Not surrounded by a membrane.
Golgi apparatus
A stack of membrane bound flattened sacs. It’s a single membrane is a similar to cell membrane, 2 layers. Membrane surrounds an area of fluid where complex molecules are stored and changed. Receives proteins from ER and modifies them, may add sugar molecules. Then packages proteins into vesicles. Also make lysosomes.
Lysosomes
Spherical sacs surrounded by a single membrane. Specialised vesicles. Contain powerful digestive enzymes and role is to break down materials eg in your tears, protects your eyes.
Rough Endoplasmic reticulum
Consists of flattened membrane bound sacs called cisternae. They are studded with ribosomes. Transports proteins on attached ribosomes. Some proteins will be secreted by cell whilst others on cell membrane.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Don’t have ribosomes, involved in making lipids
Microtubules
Hollow filaments of protein Tubulin, give structural support as part of cytoskeleton and form organelles such as centrioles and cilia. Centrioles involved in cell division. Cilia are hairs.
Plasma membrane
Membrane found on surface of animal cells and inside cell wall of plant cells and prokaryotes, made mainly of lipids and proteins. Regulates movement of substances into and out of cell. It also has receptor molecules on it, which allow it to respond to chemicals like hormones.
Cell wall
A rigid structure that surrounds plant cells, mainly made of carbohydrate cellulose. Supports plant cells.
Vesicle
A small fluid sac in the cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane. Transports substances in and out of cell and between organelles. Some are formed by the Golgi apparatus or endoplasmic reticulum while others are formed at cell surface.