Topic 2: Cells Flashcards
(409 cards)
Who created the microscope and when?
Robert Hooke in 1665
When was the electron microscope created
1940s
What equation links magnification, image size and actual size
image size = magnification x actual size
Define magnification
the enlargement of an image
how many times bigger the image of a specimen observed is in compared to the actual (real-life) size of the specimen
Define resolution
the ability to clearly distinguish between two points of an image
What would happen if you were to only increase the magnification
resolution would decrease
How do you convert from mm - micrometers
x1000
How do you calculate scale diagrams
1) measure scale bar with ruler on mm side
2) calculate how many micrometres is 1mm
3) measure the diameter and multiply by micrometres to get actual size
How do light microscopes work
use a pair of convex glass lenses that can resolve images 2um apart
what restricts the resolution of a light microscope
longer wavelength of light
(electrons have shorter wavelengths)
what are the two types of electron microscopes
TEM and SEM
What is TEM
transmission electron microscopes which works when a beam of electrons passes through the sample (must be thin)
What is SEM
scanning electron microscopes –> beam of electrons scatters across the surface which results in a 3D image
why is a vacuum required for electron microscopes to work
so air particles dont deflect electrons out of beam alignment
what are limitations of electron microscopes
-living specimins cannot be observed
-a complex staining process is required
-a thin sample is needed for TEM
-SEM has a lower resolving power than TEM
-concentrated beam of electrons may destroy specimin
How would you improve the resolution of an image
move the fine focusing knobs
Define cell fractionation
the process where we break up cells and separate out individual organelles
What occurs before cell fractionation
the tissue is placed in a solution that is cold (to reduce enzyme activity), of the same water potential (to prevent bursting and shrivelling) and buffered (to maintain constant pH so organelle structure wont be affected)
What are the two steps to cell fractionation
1) homogenation
2) Ultracentrifugation
What occurs during homogenation
the cell is blended to release all the organelles. The resulting liquid solution is called the homogenate and is filtered to remove debris
What occurs during ultracentriguation
the test tubes of the filtrate are spun. At first speeds are slow and then begin building up fast. At slow speeds the heavier organelles (nuclei) are separated. The supernatent (remaining substance) is removed and spun again at higher speeds
What is the order of organelle separation
1) nucleus
2) chloroplasts/mitochondria
3)golgi apparatus, endoplastic reticulum
4) ribosomes, vesicles, lysosomes
What are advantages of light microscopes
good/cheap method of observing larger cells
can visualise living organisms
What are disadvantages of light microscopes
-must be a thin specimen
-low magnification (x400)
-2D images only
-low resolution due to long wavelengths of light