Light Microscope

Features

Resolution - 0.2 micrometres

Magnification - x1500

Enables Live Specimens

2D Image

 SEM

Features

Magnification - x1 500 000

Resolution - 0.002 micrometres

3D Image

Does not require thin specimen

Electrons bounced off specimen surface

 TEM

Features

Magnification - x1 500 000

Resolution - 0.0002 micrometres

2D Image

Electrons pass through specimen

Gram Staining

Primary Stain - Crystal Violet stains bacteria purple

Mordant - Gram's Iodine traps stain in peptidoglycan

Decolourisation - Acetone/Alcohol washes dye out of gram negative bacteria

Counterstain - Safranin stains gram negative bacteria pink/red

Magnification 

The factor by which an image appears larger than the actual specimen

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to distinguish two adjacent structures as separate

Nuclear Envelope

Structure and Function

Structure

Double membrane with pores

Function

Control the passage of ions, molecules, and RNA between the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm

Nucleus

Structure and Function

Structure

Semisolid fluid containing the chromatin and nucleolus

Contains DNA

Function

Controls cell actions

Contains instructions for protein synthesis

Nucleolus

Structure and Function

Structure

Large sub-structure

Made from DNA, RNA, and proteins

Function

Site of ribosome production

Formation of signal recognition particles

Mitochondria

Structure and Function

Structure

Double Membrane

Cristae to increase surface area

Matrix with respiratory enzymes

Function

ATP synthesis via aerobic respiration

 Chloroplasts

Structure and Function

Structure

Flattened fluid filled thylakoids in grana within stroma

Grana connected by lamellae

Function

Light dependent photosynthesis reactions - grana

Light independent photosynthesis reactions - stroma

Golgi Apparatus and Vesicles

Structure and Function

Structure

Series of flattened membranous sacs

Fluid filled vesicles

Function

Tagging and packaging proteins and lipids

Transport of modified proteins and lipids

Lysosomes

Structure and Function

Structure

Round fluid filled sacs containing enzymes

Function

Breakdown of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and old organelles

Ribosomes

Structure and Function

Structure

Small organelles made from protein subunits

Free floating

Function

Protein synthesis

Rough ER

Structure and Function

Structure

Interconnected membranous sacs and tubules

Many ribosomes on the surface

Function

Processing and folding proteins

Smooth ER

Structure and Function

Structure

Interconnected membranous sacs and tubules

Function

Making and processing lipids

Plasma Membrane

Structure

Structure

Variety of components continuously moving around

Contains inward facing hydrophobic tails

Contains outward facing hydrophilic heads

Phospholipids

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Proteins

Glycolipids and Glycoproteins

Cholesterol

Plasma Membrane

Function

Function

Controls what enters and exits the cell - partially permeable

Cell signalling

Attachment point of intracellular and extracellular structures

Cell Walls

Structure and Function

Structure

Rigid covering protecting the cell

Cellulose - Plants/Algae

Chitin - Fungi

Peptidoglycan/Murein - Bacteria

Function

Providing structural support and shape to the cell

Microfilaments*

Structure and Function

Intermediate Filaments*

Structure and Function

Microtubules*

Structure and Function