Science - Biology - Cell Structures - B1 Flashcards
roughly, what size are animal cells?
vary from 0.01mm-0.05mm
roughly, what size are plant cells?
vary from 0.01mm-0.1mm
what is the job of a microscope?
magnify image of biological specimen so it appears larger
what type of microscope is generally used in schools?
compound microscope
name 2 lenses compound microscopes use to magnify specimen?
eyepiece and objective lens
how do you calculate magnification of a microscope?
magnification of eyepiece x magnification of objective
If magnification of eyepiece is x10, and magnification of objective is x40, what is magnification of microscope?
x400
what is the best unit to measure most cells?
micrometere(μm)
for sub-cellular structures, such as ribosomes, what is the best unit of measurement?
nanometre (nm)
describe the method of how to prepare a biological cell for examination in animal cheek cells
- put a small drop of water on microscope slide
- gently swab inside of your mouth with a clean cotton bud
-gently rub the cotton bud in the drop of water, you will be able to see the cells with the naked eye
describe the method on how to prepare a biological cell for examination in plant cells - Onion epidermal cells
- put a small drop of water on microscope slide
- peel some onion skin from inside one of the leaves in an onion bulb
- use forceps to transfer the drop of water, make sure onion skin is flat, and there is no trapped air bubbles. Stain cells with iodine
describe the method on how to prepare a biological cell for examination - human hair or animal fur
- put a small drop of glycerol on microscope slide
- cut a small piece of hair or fur
- use forceps to transfer to a drop of glycerol
- place a small square or circle of thin glass called a coverslip over the specimen
- put a drop of the stain on the slide, next to the coverslip
- draw the stain under the coverslip by placing a piece of filter paper next to it
why is a coverslip needed for examining cells ?
it protects the microscope and prevents the slide from drying out when it’s being examined
what is a mounted needle used for?
holding specimen in place as coverslip is lowered
why are stains used?
stains are used to add contrast as most cells are colourless,certain stains are also used to stain specific cell structures or cell products
name 3 risks when using a microscope
-care must be taken when looking down the microscope if the illumination is too bright.
-care when using microscope stains.
-care when handling coverslips, microscope slides and mounted needles.
describe the method on how to use a microscope
- rotate the objective lenses so that the low power, eg x10, is in line with the stage
- turn the coarse focus so that the stage is as close to the objective lens as possible. You should not look through the microscope to do this
- place the microscope slide – either one you have prepared, or a permanent slide – on the stage. Line it up so that the specimen – if you can see it – is in the centre of the stage, where the light passes through
- focus the slide towards you by turning the coarse focus adjustment
- draw a low power image or record a digital image of what you see. Then, rotate the objectives so that the high power objective, eg x40, is in line with the stage
- bring the slide back into focus using the fine focus adjustment. If you do not succeed, go back to low power and re-focus, then try again
why is a low power diagram used when examining cells?
-as a plan to show the arrangement of any distinct regions of the tissue, for example the tissues in a plant root
-to show the outline of individual cells that make up the tissue, if the tissue is uniform
why is a high power diagram used when examining cells?
a detailed image of a part of the slide. It is usually drawn to show a single cell, eg of a single cheek cell or onion cell
describe the microscope in the 1590s
dutch spectacle makers Janssen experimented with putting lenses in tubes. they made the first compound microscope. None of their microscopes have survived, but they are thought to have magnified from ×3 to ×9
describe the microscope in 1650
robert hooke - observed and drew cells using a compound microscope.
describe the microscope in the late 1600s
dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek constructed a microscope with a single spherical lens. it magnified up to ×275
describe the microscope in the 1800s
the optical quality of lenses increased and the microscopes are similar to the ones we use today
what is the maximum magnification using a light microscope?
x1500