A process that involves the cell gaining new sub-cellular structures in order for it to be suited to its role
Specialised animal cells
Sperm cells
Egg cells
Ciliated epithelial cells
Specialised plant cells
Root hair cells
Xylem cells
Phloem cells
Light microscope
Has two lenses, usually illuminated from underneath, maximum magnification of 2000x and resolving power of 200nm
Electron microscope
Uses electrons instead of light, can achieve magnification up to 2,000,000x and resolving power of 10nm (SEM) and 0.2nm (TEM)
Electron microscopes have allowed the discovery of viruses and detailed examination of proteins
Magnification
Magnification of the eyepiece lensx magnification of the objective lens
Size of an object
Size of image/magnification = size of object
Prefixes
Centi (0.01)
Milli (0.001)
Micro (0.000,001)
Nano (0.000,000,001)
Estimating population size
Take a sample area, count the number of organisms, then multiply by the number of sample areas in the whole field
Parts of a light microscope
Eyepiece
Barrel
Turret
Lens
Stage
Using a light microscope
1. Place slide on stage
2. Turn focus wheel to obtain clear image
3. Start with lowest objective lens magnification
4. Increase magnification and refocus
Preparing a slide
1. Take thin layer of cells
2. Add chemical stain
3. Apply cells to glass slide
4. Lower coverslip
Magnification calculations
Magnification = measured size / actual size
Actual size = measured size / magnification
Total magnification = objective lens magnification x eyepiece lens magnification
Enzymes
Biological catalysts that increase the rate of reaction without being used up
Active site
The uniquely shaped site on an enzyme where the substrate binds
Lock and key hypothesis
The shape of the substrate is complementary to the shape of the active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex
Magnification
Measured size / actual size
Actual size
Measured size / magnification
Total magnification
Objective lens magnification x eyepiece lens magnification
Enzymes
Biological catalysts (a substance that increases the rate of reaction without being used up)
Enzymes
Present in many reactions - allowing them to be controlled
They can both break up large molecules and join small ones
They are protein molecules and the shape of the enzyme is vital to its function
Active site
Where the substrate binds
Lock and Key Hypothesis
1. The shape of the substrate is complementary to the shape of the active site (matches the shape of the active site), so when they bond it forms an enzyme-substrate complex
2. Once bound, the reaction takes place and the products are released from the surface of the enzyme
Enzymes can only catalyse (speed up) reactions when they bind to a substrate that has a complementary shape, as this is the only way that the substrate will fit into the active site
Enzyme specificity
Enzymes can only catalyse reactions when they bind to a substrate that has a complementary shape
Enzymes
They require an optimum pH and temperature, and an optimum substrate concentration
Optimum temperature
In humans is a range around 37 degrees Celsius (body temperature)
As temperature increases
The rate of reaction increases up to the optimum, then rapidly decreases and eventually the reaction stops
Denaturation
When the bonds that hold the enzyme together break, changing the shape of the active site so the substrate can no longer 'fit into' the enzyme
Optimum pH
For most enzymes is 7 (neutral), but some have a lower optimum pH
If the pH is too high or too low
The forces that hold the amino acid chains that make up the protein will be affected, changing the shape of the active site so the substrate can no longer fit in
Substrate concentration
The concentration of the substancebinding to the enzyme