Cell Biology Exam 1

1. Cynvenio, Vortex, and CellInsight CX5 instruments – Used for analyzing and isolating cells, often in cancer research.

2. Bright field microscopy/compound light microscopy – Standard light microscope where specimens appear dark against a bright background.

3. Paraffin sections vs. Cryostat/Cryosections – Paraffin sections use wax for preserving samples; cryosections freeze samples for quick processing.

4. Phase contrast microscopy – Enhances contrast in transparent samples, useful for viewing live cells.

5. Nomarski/DIC microscopy – Provides 3D-like images by enhancing contrast in unstained samples.

6. Patch clamp – Measures electrical activity in individual cells, often used in neuroscience.

7. Darkfield microscopy – Illuminates specimens at an angle, making them appear bright on a dark background.

8. Polarizing light microscopy – Uses polarized light to study structures like crystals or fibers.

9. Spinning Disk Confocal microscopy – Captures fast-moving live cell images with low photodamage.

10. Point Scanning Confocal microscopy – Uses a laser to scan a sample point by point, reducing background noise.

11. Vivascope – A type of confocal microscope for imaging skin non-invasively.

12. Fluorescence Microscopy – Uses fluorescent dyes to highlight specific cell parts.

13. FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) – Studies movement of molecules in membranes.

14. FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) – Measures molecular interactions based on energy transfer between fluorescent molecules.

15. FRET biosensor – A molecular tool that detects specific biological activities using FRET.

16. TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy) – Highlights molecules at the cell surface with minimal background noise.

17. Vital fluorescent dyes – Stains used to observe live cells without killing them.

18. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry – Uses fluorescent antibodies to label proteins in cells.

Biochemical and Molecular Techniques

19. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) – Detects and measures proteins like antibodies or hormones.

20. Microspectrofluorometry/Plate Reading Spectrofluorometer – Measures fluorescence in small samples, often used in microplates.

21. Polyclonal/monoclonal antibodies – Polyclonal antibodies recognize multiple parts of a protein; monoclonal ones target a single site.

22. GFP, YFP, CFP as reporter molecules – Fluorescent proteins used to track gene expression and cell activity.

23. Apoptosis/Necrosis/Annexin V/Propidium iodide – Methods to study cell death and distinguish between programmed cell death (apoptosis) and accidental death (necrosis).

24. Autoradiography – Uses radioactive markers to detect molecules in cells or tissues.

25. FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) – Detects specific DNA sequences in chromosomes.

Cell and Tissue Techniques

26. Intracellular injection techniques (4 types) – Methods to introduce substances into cells (e.g., microinjection, electroporation).

27. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) – Provides detailed images of thin cell sections using electron beams.

28. High voltage electron microscopy – A more powerful version of TEM for thick samples.

29. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) – Produces 3D images of surfaces using electrons.

30. Plastic thin sectioning – Embeds samples in plastic for thin-section imaging.

31. Freeze fracture – Splits frozen cells to examine internal structures.

32. Ultrastructural autoradiography – Combines autoradiography with electron microscopy for detailed imaging.

33. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry – Uses antibodies to detect proteins in cell structures at an ultrastructural level.

34. Electron tomography – Creates 3D reconstructions of cells from electron microscope images.

35. Laser-capture microdissection microscopy – Isolates specific cells from a sample for further study.

36. Atomic Force Microscopy – Uses a tiny probe to create 3D images of cell surfaces.

37. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy – Examines surfaces at the atomic level using electrical currents.

38. Two-photon microscopy – Uses two photons to image deeper into tissues with minimal damage.

39. Super-Resolution Microscopy – Breaks the resolution limit of traditional light microscopy for highly detailed images.

40. Deconvolution Microscopy – Improves image clarity by computationally removing blur.

Protein and Molecular Analysis

41. SELDI-TOF/MALDI-TOF – Techniques for analyzing proteins based on mass spectrometry.

42. Densitometer – Measures the intensity of bands in gels or blots.

43. Autoradiography – Repeated (see 24).

44. Pulse-chase – Tracks how molecules move and change over time in cells.

45. Radioactive tagging – Labels molecules with radioactive markers for tracking.

46. EGTA/Protease – EGTA chelates calcium, and proteases break down proteins.

Cell Sorting and Separation

47. FACS/Flow cytometry – Sorts and analyzes cells based on their properties using lasers.

48. Guava – A compact flow cytometry system.

49. Velocity sedimentation – Separates cells based on their size and weight.

50. Dynabeads/Speedbeads – Magnetic beads used to isolate specific molecules or cells.

51. Veridex CellSearch System – Detects rare circulating tumor cells in blood.

52. Trituration – Breaks down cells mechanically by pipetting.

Cell and Protein Isolation Techniques

53. Detergents (SDS and Triton X-100) – Used to break cell membranes for protein extraction.

54. Differential centrifugation – Separates cellular components by spinning samples at different speeds.

55. Equilibrium Density (Rate Zonal) centrifugation – Uses a density gradient to separate molecules based on weight.

56. DEAE and CM Ion exchange chromatography – Separates proteins based on charge differences.

57. Gel filtration – Separates molecules by size.

58. Affinity Chromatography – Captures proteins based on specific binding interactions.

59. Protein A immunoprecipitation – Isolates antibodies and their target proteins.

60. Dialysis – Removes small molecules from a protein solution using a membrane.

Protein and Nucleic Acid Analysis

61. Native gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins based on size and shape while maintaining their natural state.

62. SDS gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins by size after denaturing them.

63. Isoelectric focusing – Separates proteins based on their charge at a specific pH.

64. 2-D gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins first by charge, then by size.

65. Western blots – Detects specific proteins in a sample using antibodies.

66. Photoreactive amino acids – Modified amino acids that react to light for studying protein interactions.

Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering

67. Cell lines/strains – Cultured cells used for research.

68. Fetal bovine serum/defined media – Supplements used in cell culture for growth.

69. Biological scaffolds – Structures that support cell growth in tissue engineering.

70. Tissue engineering – Creating artificial tissues for medical applications.

71. Microporous membranes – Used for cell culture and filtration.

72. Bioprinting/3D printing – Uses cells to print tissue structures.

73. Decellularization – Removes cells from a tissue, leaving behind only the extracellular matrix for use in transplants.