Cell Structure and Types

Study Notes

Plasma membrane: outermost layer, semi-permeable, regulates what enters and leaves the cell
Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell, contains organelles and metabolic reactions
Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA), controls cell growth and reproduction
Organelles: specialized structures within the cell, e.g. mitochondria (energy production), ribosomes (protein synthesis)

Prokaryotic cells: no nucleus, small, simple structure, e.g. bacteria
Eukaryotic cells: have nucleus, larger, more complex structure, e.g. plants, animals, fungi

Light Microscope: uses visible light to magnify specimens, allows for observation of living cells
Electron Microscope: uses electron beam to magnify specimens, provides higher resolution and detail than light microscope
Fluorescence Microscope: uses fluorescent dyes to highlight specific structures or molecules within the cell
Scanning Microscope: uses a focused beam to scan the surface of a specimen, provides 3D images

Objective Lenses: collect and focus light from the specimen, vary in magnification and resolution
Ocular Lenses: magnify the image formed by the objective lenses, typically 10x or 15x
Stage: holds the specimen, allows for movement and focusing
Illumination: provides light for the specimen, e.g. LED, halogen, or xenon lamps

Observation of Cellular Structure: study of cell morphology, organelles, and cellular processes
Microbial Analysis: identification and characterization of microorganisms
Cytological Analysis: study of cell changes and abnormalities, e.g. cancer diagnosis
Forensic Science: analysis of evidence, e.g. hair, fibers, and DNA samples

The plasma membrane is the outermost layer of the cell, responsible for regulating what enters and leaves the cell, and is semi-permeable.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell, where metabolic reactions and organelles are found.
The nucleus contains genetic material (DNA) and controls cell growth and reproduction.
Organelles are specialized structures within the cell, such as mitochondria, which produce energy, and ribosomes, which synthesize proteins.

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, are small, and have a simple structure, with examples being bacteria.
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, are larger, and have a more complex structure, with examples being plants, animals, and fungi.

A Light Microscope uses visible light to magnify specimens, allowing for the observation of living cells.
An Electron Microscope uses an electron beam to magnify specimens, providing higher resolution and detail than a Light Microscope.
A Fluorescence Microscope uses fluorescent dyes to highlight specific structures or molecules within the cell.
A Scanning Microscope uses a focused beam to scan the surface of a specimen, providing 3D images.

Objective Lenses collect and focus light from the specimen, varying in magnification and resolution.
Ocular Lenses magnify the image formed by the Objective Lenses, typically 10x or 15x.
The Stage holds the specimen, allowing for movement and focusing.
Illumination provides light for the specimen, using sources such as LED, halogen, or xenon lamps.

Microscopes are used to observe cellular structure, studying cell morphology, organelles, and cellular processes.
Microscopes are used in microbial analysis to identify and characterize microorganisms.
Microscopes are used in cytological analysis to study cell changes and abnormalities, such as in cancer diagnosis.
Microscopes are used in forensic science to analyze evidence, such as hair, fibers, and DNA samples.