IB Biology HL1 - Cells and Microscopy

created by Alana Lamountry, Period 4

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Cell

Smallest unit of life; everything that is living is made out of cells.

Cell theory

Organisms are made out of cells, and those cells come from other cells.

Cryogenic electron microscopy

Technique where samples are frozen to cryogenic temperatures for preservation during electron microscopy.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance inside cells containing organelles, cytoskeleton, and other structures.

Deductive reasoning

Process of creating a conclusion based on given evidence.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid found in the cell's nucleus, carrying genetic information about the organism's development and functions.

Electron microscope (MCSP)

Instrument that uses electrons to magnify tiny objects, such as sub-cellular structures.

Field of View

Maximum area visible through the lenses of a microscope.

Freeze-fracture

Technique to visualize structures of biological samples that have been frozen and broken into small pieces.

Immunofluorescence

Method where a fluorescent tag is attached to antibodies that bind to antigens, allowing visualization of target molecules.

Inductive reasoning

Process of forming a theory or conclusion based on related observations.

Light microscope

Microscope that uses light to view specimens, with magnification levels of 400-1500x.

Magnification

Comparison of the size of an image to its actual size; for example, 100x magnification means the image is 100 times larger.

Multicellular

Organism composed of more than one cell.

Objective lens

Lens closest to the slide that holds the specimen being observed.

Ocular lens

Part of the microscope that magnifies the image for viewing.

Plasma membrane

Thin, sometimes permeable layer of phospholipid and protein surrounding the cell, regulating the movement of molecules and ions.

Resolution

Ability of a microscope to distinguish fine details of a specimen.

Ribosome

Sub-cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs.

Scale

Range of sizes of objects detectable using microscopes.

Unicellular

Organism made up of a single cell.

Wet mount

Technique where a specimen is suspended in a drop of water for observation.