Lecture 2 Review

The ability to distinguish two objects that are close together. This is determined by the wavelength of the light used for illumination.

Techniques using microscopes to view objects too small to be seen with the naked eye. Light microscopy uses visible light, while electron microscopy uses a beam of electrons.

A type of microscopy that uses visible light to illuminate and visualize objects. It has a lower resolution than electron microscopy, typically resolving objects about 200nm apart.

A microscopy technique that uses a beam of electrons to illuminate and visualize objects. This method has a much higher resolution than light microscopy, resolving objects down to 0.003nm.

A technique used to visualize a specific protein in a cell by using antibodies that bind to the protein of interest. The antibodies are tagged with a fluorescent dye, making the protein visible under a microscope.

The range of sizes relevant to understanding the components of cells. Different units are used to represent these sizes, from millimeters to nanometers.

Light microscopy uses visible light, while electron microscopy uses a beam of electrons. Electron microscopy has much higher resolution than light microscopy, allowing for visualization of smaller structures within a cell.

A common technique is indirect immunofluorescence (IF), where antibodies that bind to the protein of interest are tagged with a fluorescent dye, making the protein visible under a microscope.

Specificity refers to the antibody's ability to bind only to the target protein of interest, the 'antigen'.

Sensitivity is determined by the fluorescence of the antibody, which enables the detection of even small amounts of the target protein.

'Fix' refers to chemically cross-linking the cell. This preserves the cell structure and prevents degradation.

'Permeabilize' means to make the cell membrane permeable to antibodies using a detergent. This allows antibodies to enter the cell.

A 'marker' is a fluorescent molecule that binds to the antibody, allowing the target protein to be visualized.

Indirect immunofluorescence uses a primary antibody that binds to the target protein and a secondary antibody, labeled with a fluorescent molecule, that binds to the primary antibody. This amplifies the signal and increases sensitivity.

Indirect immunofluorescence allows for the visualization of multiple proteins using different colored markers.

GFP, or Green Fluorescent Protein, is a naturally occurring protein that fluoresces green under UV light. It's used as a marker in immunofluorescence.

A technique where the gene for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is combined with the gene for a protein of interest, allowing researchers to visualize the protein's location and activity within cells.

Using GFP-labeled proteins, researchers can identify and track the location and movement of specific organelles within living cells.

A powerful microscope that uses electrons to generate highly detailed images of thin cell samples, revealing internal structures in great detail.

Thin samples are fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in plastic for sectioning. Heavy metals are used to stain biological molecules for better electron scattering and imaging.

Electron microscopy offers higher resolution than light microscopy, but requires complex preparation, limits live cell analysis, and is more challenging for 3D visualization.

Internal membranes in eukaryotic cells create specialized compartments (organelles) that separate different cellular processes, preventing conflicts and enhancing efficiency.

Internal membranes increase the total surface area available for reactions within cells, accommodating larger cells and complex metabolic processes efficiently.

The origins of internal membranes in eukaryotic cells, including the nucleus, ER, Golgi, and other organelles, remain a fascinating mystery in evolutionary biology.

The outer boundary of a cell, separating it from its environment. It controls what enters and leaves the cell, interacts with its surroundings, and plays a crucial role in cell signaling.

Everything inside a cell, except the nucleus. It includes the cytosol and organelles.

The fluid part of the cytoplasm, excluding the organelles. It's a bustling environment where many chemical reactions occur, including protein synthesis.

The control center of the cell, containing the majority of the cell's DNA (genome). It's responsible for replication and transcription.

A double-layered membrane that surrounds the nucleus, containing nuclear pores which allow the passage of molecules in and out.

An extensive network of interconnected membranes in the cytoplasm, playing a vital role in the synthesis of lipids, membrane proteins, and secreted proteins.

ER sections with ribosomes attached, involved in protein synthesis.

A stack of flattened, membrane-bound sacs involved in modifying and sorting proteins before they are transported to their destination.

Powerhouses of the cell, generating cellular energy (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. They have their own DNA and ribosomes.

The outer layer of the mitochondrion, enclosing the inner membrane and matrix.

The inner layer of the mitochondrion, highly folded to form cristae, which are the sites of ATP production.

Folds in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, increasing the surface area for oxidative phosphorylation to occur.

The theory that proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts were once free-living bacteria that were engulfed by early eukaryotic cells and established a mutually beneficial relationship.

The genetic material of a cell, contained in the nucleus.