Cells and Microscopy

• Nucleolus - site of ribosome synthesis
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
• Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.
• Mitochondria is where cellular respiration occurs, producing ATP from glucose.
• Mitochondria produce energy through respiration.
• Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis.
• The cytoplasm contains organelles, which are specialized structures that perform specific functions within the cell.
• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, producing ATP through aerobic respiration.
• Eukaryotic Cells - Cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles - they are complex cells
• Prokaryotes - unicellular organisms that do not have a nucleus. - simple cells (bacteria)
• Plant cells contain - Cell wall - Chloroplasts - Vacuole - Cell membrane - Nucleus - Mitochondria - Ribosomes
• Animal cells contain - Nucleus - Cytoplasm - Cell membrane - Mitochondria - Ribosomes
• Cells are studied using microscopes
• Electron microscopes- invented in 1930s. They let us see smaller things to more detail such as the internal structure of the mitochondria
• Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) - higher magnification and resolution, not portable, expensive and complicated to prepare, can’t look at living things
• Light microscopes - invented in the 1590s they let us see things such as nuclei and chloroplasts
• Parts of light microscope - eyepiece (look through and magnifies image) - objective lens (magnified image) - stage (supports slide) - clip (holds slide in place) - handle (carry microscope) - lamp (shines light so can see slide) - focusing knobs (move stage up and down to focus image)
• Specimen preparation - need to take thin slice of specimen so light can shine through - take a clean side and use pipettes to put drop of water in middle to secure specimen - add stain if needed - cover with cover slip
• Magnification = image size / real size
• Total magnification = eyepiece lens magnification * objective lens magnification