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Questions and Answers
What structural pattern is observed in a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of a typical membrane?
What structural pattern is observed in a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of a typical membrane?
- A single electron-dense layer.
- A single electron-lucent layer.
- Two electron-lucent layers with a middle electron-dense layer.
- Two electron-dense layers with a middle electron-lucent layer. (correct)
Which term best describes the characteristic appearance of a membrane in TEM?
Which term best describes the characteristic appearance of a membrane in TEM?
- Trilaminar. (correct)
- Quadruple layer.
- Monolayer.
- Bilayer.
In a TEM image of a membrane, what does an ‘electron-dense' layer signify?
In a TEM image of a membrane, what does an ‘electron-dense' layer signify?
- A region that weakly scatters electrons, appearing light.
- A region that allows electrons to pass without any deflection.
- A region that has no interaction with electrons, appearing transparent.
- A region that strongly scatters electrons, appearing dark. (correct)
What is the primary reason for the trilaminar appearance of a membrane in TEM?
What is the primary reason for the trilaminar appearance of a membrane in TEM?
In TEM, the middle layer of the trilaminar membrane appears electron-lucent. What does this indicate about the layer's material?
In TEM, the middle layer of the trilaminar membrane appears electron-lucent. What does this indicate about the layer's material?
Flashcards
Trilaminar membrane
Trilaminar membrane
The way a cell membrane appears in a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).
Electron-dense layer
Electron-dense layer
The outermost layer of the trilaminar membrane, appearing dense in a TEM.
Electron-lucent layer
Electron-lucent layer
The innermost layer of the trilaminar membrane, appearing less dense in a TEM.
Electron density
Electron density
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Trilaminar membrane image
Trilaminar membrane image
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Study Notes
TEM Observation of Biological Membranes
- TEM images of biological membranes often reveal a characteristic "trilaminar" appearance.
- This trilaminar appearance manifests as two electron-dense layers flanking a central, electron-lucent layer.
- The electron-dense layers represent the hydrophobic tails of phospholipid molecules, which are facing water in the aqueous environments on either side of the membrane.
- The central electron-lucent region corresponds to the hydrophilic heads of the phospholipid molecules.
- The structure is consistent in various biological membranes, suggesting a common organizational principle.
- The precise thickness of each layer and the electron-lucent region can vary depending on the specific membrane and preparation method.
- The trilaminar structure provides visual evidence of the basic membrane structure.
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