This

lesson we will cover

B1 1.20 The nucleus of the

cell
B2 1.1 Components of a
bacterial cell
B2 1.2 Function of the
components of a plant cell
B2 1.3 Function of the
components of an animal cell
B2 1.4 How plant and animal
cells can be studied with a
light microscope
B2 1.5 Simple magnification
calculations

Cell Theory: Organization of Life

All organisms are composed

of cells, lifes basic units.
Cells were discovered by
Robert Hooke in England in
1665. Hooke was using one
of the first microscopes.

Cell Theory: Organization of Life

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

used microscopes capable
of magnifying 500 times,
and
discovered
an
amazing world of singlecelled life in a drop of
pond water.

In 1839, two German biologists

Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann

summarised a large
number of observations
by themselves and
others, concluded that
all living organisms
consist of cells. Their
conclusion forms the
basis of what has come
to be known as the
cell theory.

Using a microscope:
http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/
microscope/scope.html

Magnification and resolution:

Of all the techniques used in biology microscopy is
probably the most important. The vast majority of
living organisms are too small to be seen in any
detail with the human eye, and cells and their
organelles can only be seen with the aid of a
microscope.
Magnification =

Size of Object =

size of the image

size of the object
size of the image
Magnification

Resolution: Is the ability to distinguish

between two points on an image i.e. the amount
of detail or clarity. The resolving power of a
particular microscope depends on the
wavelength or form of radiation used.

The diagram shows an Escherichia coli bacterium at a magnification of x20 000.

What is the actual length of the bacterium from A to B in micrometers (m)?
Show your working.
1. Measure the distance from A B in mm

150 mm

(I) 150 / (M) 20000 = (A) 0.0075 mm

3. Convert millimeters (mm) to
micrometers (m)
0.0075 x 1000 = 7.5 m (micrometers)

The Electron Microscope

In the 1930s a different
type of microscope was
made that used a beam of
electrons instead of light
The electron microscope
(EM). By using a beam of
electrons, instead of light,
higher resolution powers
can be achieved due to
electrons having a smaller
wavelength than light.

Transmission electron microscope (TEM)

A TEM transmits a beam of electrons (from an electron gun) through
a thin section of the specimen.
Electron gun
Parts of the specimen
absorb electrons and
appear dark on the
image. Other parts do
not absorb electrons
and appear light.
The resolving power of
a TEM is around 0.1nm
(very good) but often
this cannot be achieved
due to problems with
specimen preparations.

Specimen holder
Projection chamber

Draw and
label a
Prokaryote!

Much Smaller that eukaryotic cells (0.5 - 10 m)

DO NOT have a nucleus their DNA floats free in the
cytoplasm.
It is circular DNA present as one long coiled-up strand.
Have Fewer Organelles (e.g. they dont have
mitochondria)
Have smaller Ribosomes.

Cells: Structure and function

Nucleus

Ribosomes

Mitochondria

Cell Wall
Chloroplast

Cytoplasm

Cell Membrane

Eukaryotic cells are more complex than prokaryotic

and include all animal and Plant cells.

Different Organelles, e.g.

True nucleus, Larger
ribosomes, mitochondria,

cells,

Eukaryotes have
Eukaryotes
possess a well defined

Nucleus,

membrane bound organelles,

where important cellular
functions take place.

The nucleus contains

the genetic
information of the cell
in multiple strands of
DNA and protein
(chromosomes).

The

Nucleus

The nucleus contains genes that control the

eukaryotic cell

The nucleus: contains DNA. Key functions are

Q.Chromosomes consist ofreplication,
long coiled cell
molecules
of DNA.
Division,
& protein synthesis. In a
a. State the 2 types of Human
cells that
doDNA
not have
23 pairs
of chromosomes.
eukaryotic
cell
is linear
& attached
to proteins
(Histones)

Sperm and Egg.

b. Explain why these cells only have 23 chromosomes.

They are Haploid cells (contain 23 chromosomes) which, via fertilisation
combine to form a cell (zygote) resorting the diploid number of
chromosomes. (46, 23 pairs).

Ribosomes (site of protein synthesis).

Small & dense structure, NO membrane!

Mitochondria
are found in
almost all
eukaryotic cells,
are responsible
for generating
most of the ATP
(energy)

Ok, so lets
Draw and
label an
animal cell

These specialised cells are very

active and require lots of energy.
As such they have many
mitochondria to provide the
energy (ATP) generated from
cellular respiration.

Plant cells:
Chloroplasts are the sites of
photosynthesis and are found only in
the cells of plants and green algae.
They have chloroplasts where
photosynthesis occurs, and they
contain a green substance called
chlorophyll.
Inside the plant cell is a permanent
vacuole containing cell sap a weak
solution of sugars and salts.

Draw and
label a
Plant cell

The cell wall a tough,

flexible, (sometimes fairly
rigid) layer, located
external to the cell
membrane.

1. Name 4 plant cell structures that

you would see with a light
microscope. Cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, vacuole

Question
time!

2. Name another type of microscope. Electron microscope.

3. State the difference between the way light microscopes and
electron microscopes work. Identify which is most powerful.
Light microscopes rely on refraction of light to magnify images
whereas electron microscopes rely on focused beams of electrons.
Electrons have a shorter wavelength than light, as such electron
microscopes are more powerful.

4. The Flagellum of the bacterium Escherichia coli is

0.001mm long. You observe the flagellum at 400 x
magnification. Calculate how long the magnified
image will be.
Image size = Actual length of flagellum x Magnification.
Image size = 0.001mm x 400 = 0.4mm

Question
time!

5. Name 4 features of a plant cell that is not seen in bacterial cells.

True Nucleus, Large permeant vacuole, Mitochondria and
Chloroplasts.