Chapter 1: Cells and Microscopy Flashcards
how is magnification calculated?
image size / actual size
how is total magnification calculated?
eye piece magnification x objective magnification
what are the differences between light and electron microscopes?
Radiation source = light v electrons
LM uses living specimen EM electron has vacuum ∴ dead samples
LM can distinguish colour EMelectron can’t
LM has has low mag. and res, EM electron has high mag. and res.
what does an electron microscope use to focus?
an electromagnet
what is the maximum resolution for a- light microscope- electron microscope?
LM 200nm
EM 0.1nm
what is the maximum magnification for a light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM)?
LM 1500x
SEM 100,000x
TEM 500,000x
what is the definition of magnification?
the degree of enlargement of an image to reveal further detail
Remember: magnification is limited by reosolution of the microscope
what is the definition of resolution?
the ability to distinguish between two different points and to see detail
what is the use of a microtome?
to cut extremely thin non-living specimens so that the light rays or beam of electrons can pass through the specimen
how does a TEM produce an image?
- e- passed through specimen
- e- are scattered
- magnetic lenses focus image on fluorescent screen / photographic plate
how does an SEM produce an image?
e- knock other e- from surface of specimen
what is added to TEM specimens?
- heavy metal impregnation
- used to stain specimen as atoms of heavy metals have large positivec nuclei that scatter e- beam
what is added to SEM specimens?
coated with carbon/gold
outline the process of preparing a temporary slide
- fixation
- staining
- mounting
outline the process of prepaing a permanent slide
- fixation (immersion in gluteraldehyde)
- dehydration (incr. alcohol content)
- clearing (xylol removes alcohol)
- embedding (in epoxy/resin)
- sectioning
- staining
- mounting
what is cryosectioning?
- tissue embedded in gel medium
- then rapidly frozen to -20/-30oC
- cut with cryostat into 5-10 um sections
- then stained
what is the purpose of differential staining?
to improve contrast betwen diferent tissues and or strucrtures
i.e. to make certain structures appear darker or different in colour from other structures
to distinguish between
- different types of cells
- living and dead cells
- different chemicals or metabolic processed
how is Leishman’s stain applied?
- blood smear prepared
- allow blood smear to air dry
- fixed with methanol for 2 mins
- dilute with distilled with water for 6 mins
- slide washed until pink to naked eye
how is Wright’s stain applied?
- blood smear prepared
- allow blood to air dry
- dipped in Wright’s stain for 3-4 minutes
- dilute in distilled water
- leave for 6-8 minutes
- rinse in distilled fresh water for 25s (until pale pink edges are seen)
- air dry vertically
- oil applied
what is the purpose of a blood smear?
- to observe the appearance of the blood:-
- presence/absence of cells
- cell morphology
- cell health
how is a blood smear achieved?
- place a small drop of blood at the end of a clean, sterile, dry slide
- another slide used to spread blood at 30o angle
- immediately labelled slide left to dry
- fixative used to preserve cells
what are the functions of the blood?
- delivery of oxygen to tissues
- delivery of nutrients e.g. glc, fatty acids to tissues
- removal of waste products e.g. carbon dioxide, urea from tissues
- immunological protection e.g. circulation of antibodies, phagocytes and memory cells
- clotting
- transport cell signalling molecules e.g. hormones (insulin, glucagon, ADH etc)
- acting as a buffer to regulate pH of plasma
- distribution of heat to regulate core body temperature
what is the function of erythrocytes?
red blood cells, RBCs
- Transport oxygen as oxyhaemoglobin from lungs to tissues
- each Hb carries 4 oxygen moecules (i.e. 8 oxtgen atoms)
- Transport carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs
how are erythrocytes produced?
- produced from erythropoietic stem cells in bone marrow
- following stimulation from erythropoietin