Unit ___: Introduction to Cells and Microscopy Name: _________________________

Cells as the smallest units of self-sustaining

life (A2.1.2)
● Discuss the challenges of defining
matter as living or nonliving.
● Discuss the reason why cells are
considered to be living.
● Discuss the reasons why viruses are
considered to be non-living.

Cells as the basic structural unit of all living

organisms (A2.2.1)
● State the three parts of the cell
theory.
● Compare the use of the word theory
in daily language and scientific
language.
● Distinguish inductive from deductive reasoning.
● Outline the process of inductive reasoning that led to the development of the cell theory.
● Outline how deductive reasoning can be used to predict characteristics of a newly discovered organism.

Structures common to cells in all living organisms (A2.2.4)

● Outline the function of structures that are common to all cells.

Developments in microscopy (A2.2.3)

● Define resolution and magnification.
● Compare the functionality of light and electron microscopes.
● State a benefit of using fluorescent stains to visualize cell structures.
● Outline the process of visualizing specific proteins in cells using immunofluorescence technology.
● Outline the process of producing images of cell surfaces using freeze-fracture electron microscopy.
● Outline the process of visualizing specific proteins using cryogenic electron microscopy.

Microscopy skills (A2.2.2)

● Given the magnification of the ocular and objective lenses, calculate the total microscope magnification.
● Demonstrate how to focus the microscope on a sample.
● Demonstrate how to make a temporary wet mount and stain a microscopic sample.
● Demonstrate how to draw cell structures seen with a microscope using sharp, carefully joined lines and straight
edge lines for labels.
● Measure the field of view diameter of a microscope under low power.
● Calculate the field of view diameter of a microscope under medium or high power.
● Use a formula to calculate the magnification of a micrograph or drawing.
● If given the magnification of a micrograph or drawing, use a formula to calculate the actual size of a specimen.
● Compare quantitative and qualitative observations.
Cells as Self-Sustaining Life (A2.1.2)
What is life? Textbooks traditionally describe life with a list consisting of:
●

The trouble with such a list definition is that…

Living things are composed of __________.

Draw samples of four living things and one not living thing. Draw something DIFFERENT than what is shown in the notes.

NOT Alive Alive Alive Alive Alive

The cell is the ___________________________________________, meaning it is the ____________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Viruses are not considered to be living because:

●
Cells as the basic structural unit of all living organisms (A2.2.1)
The cell theory is a group of statements that together serves as a tenet for life on Earth.

The cell theory is based on observations.

● Theories developed from observations are an example of _________________________________, using specific
observations to form a general conclusion.

● Evidence that supports the cell theory:

● The cell theory can be used to make predictions using _________________________________, using a general
premise to form a specific conclusion.

Use of the word theory:

In scientific language, theory means:
● “A well-substantiated
● explanation of some aspect of the natural world,
● based on a body of facts
● that have been repeatedly confirmed
● through observation and experiment.
● Such fact-supported theories are not “guesses” but reliable accounts of the real world.”
Structures common to cells in all living organisms (A2.2.4)
There are two distinct types of cells: ____________________________ and ____________________________.
Though some structures differ, there are structures common to all cells:

Structure Function Sketch

Developments in microscopy (A2.2.3)

Microscopes are:

Define magnification:

Define resolution:

Does magnification have to increase in order for resolution to increase? How do you know?
Compare the functionality of light and electron microscopes.
Light Microscope Electron Microscope

Source of
magnification

Ease of Use
(high/low)

Cost
(high/low)

Living Cells
(Y/N)

Movement
(Y/N)

Color (Y/N)

Magnification

Resolution

➔ Technology

➔ Begets

➔ Discovery
Three Advancements in Microscopy Technology:

Immunofluorescence Freeze-Fracture Cryogenic Electron Microscopy

What? What?
What?

Why use it? Why use it?

Why use it?

Discovery: Discovery:
Discovery:
Microscopy skills (A2.2.2)

Total Magnification =

For each sample, draw what you see in the field of view and calculate the total magnification of the microscope:

Parts of the microscope: add functions if necessary

Wet Mount:

Staining:

Color the images to show the result of staining as indicated:

Iodine Methylene Blue Gram Stain

Microscope Field of View

FOV is:

METHOD 1: On low power, measure the FOV.

View a ruler at three different magnifications. Draw what you see in the field of view and then determine the size of the
field of view (where possible).
METHOD 2: The diameter of the field of view under high power often can not be measured directly and must
be calculated using an equation.
Estimating the Size of a Specimen in the Microscope Field of View

METHOD 1: METHOD 2:
1. Estimate the fraction of the field of view that 1. Estimate (or count) how many of the
the specimen occupies. specimens would fit across the FOV.

2. Multiply the FOV diameter by that estimated 2. Divide the FOV diameter by that estimated
fraction. count.

The length of the Paramecium fills about ________ About _________ (decimal number) plant cells fit

(fraction) of the field of view. 1.5mm times across the field of view. 0.6 mm divided by

________ (fraction) is __________. So, the _________ (decimal number) is __________. So, one

Paramecium is estimated to be about __________ plant cell is estimated to be about __________ long.

long.

Round to only 1 significant digit when estimating. Round to only 1 significant digit when estimating.

Calculating Actual Size, Magnification and Scale

Illustrate the differences between actual life size, magnified size with a microscope and enlarged drawing size.
Magnification =

Image Size =

Actual Size of Specimen =

Practice Problem #1
Here is a drawing of a 200 μm cell viewed under the
microscope at high power. Calculate the
magnification of the drawing.

Practice Problem #2
Use the diagrams to answer the following questions:
● What is the estimated size of the cell?

● What is the drawing magnification?

Practice Problem #3
Here is an amoeba drawn at 200X life size. What is
the actual size of the amoeba?
Drawing Cells
Summarize the requirements of a high quality, scientific drawing:
Materials: Positioning: Size: Labels:

Technique: Scale: Accuracy: Title:

PRACTICE:
1. What is the total magnification of a microscope with a 15X ocular and a 40X objective?

2. A student determines that the field of view with a 10x ocular and a 4x objective is 2.5 mm in diameter.
What is the diameter with the same ocular and a 10X objective?

3. If the amoeba is being viewed with a low power microscope with a 4.5 mm field of view, what is the
estimated longest length of the organism? Show your working.

4. Here is the same amoeba as in #3. Add a labeled

scale bar to the drawing then determine the drawing
magnification. Show your working.
5. A labeled scale bar is shown on the image. Calculate the magnification of the photograph. Show
your working.

6. This cell is drawn 2000X larger than life size. Determine the actual size of the cell and add a labeled
scale bar.

7. This paramecium is shown at 800X life size. How big is it in real life?

8. A labeled scale bar is shown on the image. Calculate the magnification

of the drawing. Show your working.