How cells are studied, Biology

Assignment Help:

How cells are studied

We learnt about the evolution of the cell and a historical account of the growth of cell biology. In this section, you will study about the various tools and techniques used to study the cell.

Cells, due to their minute size, cannot be observed by the naked eye. Lenses can magnify minute objects only upto a limited extent. Therefore, many lenses were combined together to form an instrument known as the microscope (Gr mikros-small, skopein-to see). Subsequently, many new tools and techniques were invented by cell biologists about which you will study in detail in this section.

We begin the section with light microscope (LM). Here, you will know about the difference between resolving power and magnification and various cytochemical techniques which are used to study the chemical components and structural organisation of the cell. Phase contrast microscopy; an important technique for viewing the live cells is described. You will also learn about electron microscopy (EM), the best known method for the study of the ultrastructure of the cell and an important technique called 'freeze fracturing' which is used to study the internal structure of membrane in the cell.

Use of radioisotopes, antibodies, and fluorescence microscopy for localisation of various cell components are discussed in this Unit. You will also learn about cell culture and cinemicrography, the other important techniques used to study live cells. While going through this unit, it would be useful to recall and apply your knowledge of elementary chemistry, physics and mathematics, such as radioisotopes, refractive index and simple mathematical calculations. The study of this Unit assumes that you are familiar with the optical laws and princi~leso n which a microscope works.


Related Discussions:- How cells are studied

Define effect of protein deficiency during pregnancy period, Define effect ...

Define effect of Protein deficiency during pregnancy period? The effects of protein deficiency during pregnancy are difficult to separate from the effects of caloric deficit, s

Rate of transport with increasing solute, Based on the information given in...

Based on the information given in each description, determine if the transporter is likely a channel or a carrier. This transporter shows increasing rate of transport with increasi

Prawn, green gland in prawn

green gland in prawn

Describe the method of molecular photo copying, Question 1: "Plant tiss...

Question 1: "Plant tissue culture now has direct commercial applications" Explain. Describe plant tissue culture Illustrate importance of plant tissue culture Sho

What characteristics distinguish fungi from plants, What characteristics di...

What characteristics distinguish fungi from plants? Fungi contain some unicellular forms, but plants do not; most plants are autotrophic, but all fungi are heterotrophic. Fungi

Explain precautions for gram staining of bacterial cultures, Explain Precau...

Explain Precautions for Gram Staining of Bacterial Cultures? 1. Heat fix the smear, otherwise cells would be washed off. 2. Fresh 24 hrs old culture should be used. Gram var

Plasma proteins - circulation, Plasma Proteins - Circulation The total...

Plasma Proteins - Circulation The total protein concentration of the plasma is around 7% only. The plasma proteins are of three types - serum albumin (4%), serum globulin (2.7

Define unsaturated fatty acids, Unsaturated fatty  acids Unsaturated  f...

Unsaturated fatty  acids Unsaturated  fatty  acids  are  liquid at  room  temperature  and  are characterized by having one or more double bonds. Fatty acids having two or more

Phylum annelida, what so special for phylum annelida

what so special for phylum annelida

Explain protostomes vs. deuterostomes breifly, Explain Protostomes vs. Deut...

Explain Protostomes vs. Deuterostomes breifly? Branching Evolutionary Lines : It appears that the Coelomate animals separated into two divergent lines of evolution in terms o

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd