Cell Structure and Types

Cell Structure

• 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)

Cell Types

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

Microscope Types

• 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

Microscope Components

• 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

Microscope Uses

• 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

Cell Structure

• 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.

Cell Types

• 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.

Microscope Types

• 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.

Microscope Components

• 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.

Microscope Uses

• 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.