🧫 Topic A2.2: Cells and Microscopy

Question 1

What is Cell Theory?

Answer 1

All life is made of cells. Predicts that any living thing has at least one cell.

Question 2

What are key microscopy skills to practice?

Answer 2

Making temporary mounts, using stains, calculating magnification, creating scale bars.

Question 3

What are some developments in microscopy?

Answer 3

Electron microscopy offers high resolution. Cryo-EM provides 3D structure of molecules. Fluorescent stains label cell parts.

Question 4

What are basic features of all cells?

Answer 4

All cells have DNA, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane.

Question 5

What are characteristics of prokaryotes?

Answer 5

No nucleus, 70S ribosomes, loop of naked DNA.

Example: Bacillus, Staphylococcus.

Question 6

What are characteristics of eukaryotes?

Answer 6

Have nucleus, 80S ribosomes, and organelles: mitochondria, ER, Golgi, vacuoles, cytoskeleton.

Question 7

What functions do unicellular organisms perform?

Answer 7

Perform all functions of life: nutrition, metabolism, growth, response, homeostasis, reproduction, movement, excretion.

Question 8

What are the differences between animal, plant, and fungi cells?

Answer 8

Animal: No cell wall, small vacuole, no chloroplasts, cilia/flagella present. Plant: Cellulose cell wall, large vacuole, chloroplasts present, cilia/flagella rare. Fungi: Chitin cell wall, medium vacuole, no chloroplasts, cilia/flagella rare.

Question 9

What are atypical cells?

Answer 9

Multinucleate cells include skeletal muscle, fungal hyphae, RBCs (no nucleus), phloem sieve tubes (no nucleus).

Question 10

What key structures should be identified in electron micrographs?

Answer 10

Nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, ER, Golgi, ribosomes, plasma membrane, etc.

Question 11

What should you practice in drawing and annotation?

Answer 11

Practice drawing cell organelles and label functions.