Microscopy (AQA GCSE Biology)

Practice flashcards covering key concepts in microscopy for AQA GCSE Biology, based on the provided lecture notes.

What are the two main types of microscopes studied at GCSE?

Light microscopes and electron microscopes.

How does a light microscope work?

Uses light and glass lenses to form an image of a specimen.

How does an electron microscope work?

Uses a beam of electrons instead of light, producing much higher magnification and resolution.

What is resolution?

The ability to distinguish between two points that are close together (clarity of detail).

What is magnification?

How much bigger the image is compared to the real object.

Write the magnification equation.

Magnification = Image size / Actual size

Rearrange the magnification equation to find actual size.

Actual size = Image size / Magnification

Why do electron microscopes allow scientists to see sub-cellular structures in more detail than light microscopes?

Because they have a much higher resolution and magnification.

Give examples of sub-cellular structures that can be seen with an electron microscope but not with a light microscope.

Mitochondria, ribosomes, internal structure of chloroplasts.

What are the typical magnifications of light vs electron microscopes?

Light microscopes: up to around imes2000.
Electron microscopes: over imes1,000,000.

What 's one advantage of light microscopes compared to electron microscopes?

They are cheaper, easier to use, and can view living specimens.

What's one advantage of electron microscopes compared to light microscopes?

They show much more detail (higher magnification and resolution).

What part of the AQA spec covers microscopy?

Cell biology Required practical: use a light microscope to observe, draw and label cells.