DATE: 17th September, 2015

TITLE: Unicellular and Multicellular Organisms

AIM: To identify and describe cells, cell structures and organelles, from electron micrographs.

INTRODUCTION: Electron microscopes work by using an electron beam, instead of visible light
as opposed to the light microscopes, to illuminate a non-living, dehydrated and relatively small
or thin specimen and create an enlarged black and white image of it. This beam of electrons
allows it to magnify objects up to x250 000 on screen, which is much greater than that of the
light microscope which only allows magnification up to x1500. Resolution is affected by the
wavelength of light and how the light is interrupted by objects in the specimen. Resolution is
defined as the shortest distance between two objects at which they can be distinguished as
separate objects. The maximum resolution in practice in an electron microscope is 0.5 nm.
Magnification is defined as the ratio between the size of the image, for example, a drawing or
photograph and the actual size of the object.

𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒
𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: Electron microscope, specimen slides.

PROCEDURE:

1) Three parts found in both light and electron microscopes are:

2) The energy source for the light microscope is visible light.

3) The energy source for the electron microscope is a beam of electrons.

4) In the light microscope, the lens in the ocular eyepiece is made of glass while in the electron
microscope; the lens is made of electromagnets.

5) Procedure used to prepare a specimen for electron microscopy:

Step 1: Fixation. Biological samples need to be stabilized so that the electron beam doesn't
destroy them. This kills the tissue at the same time.

Step 2: Samples need to be dried thoroughly so that the vacuum doesn't affect them.
RESULTS:

Table 1. Characteristics of cell organelles and cellular structures.

Organelle/cellular structure Seen using light or only Function(s)

electron microscope. (Size
µm)
Plasma Membrane electron microscope Controls exchanging of
0.007µm materials between cell and its
environment. It is also
partially permeable.
Cell Wall electron microscope Provides mechanical support
2 µm and protection. Prevents
osmotic bursting of the cell.
Nucleus electron microscope It is the control centre for all
7µm cell activities. Contains
genetic information in the
form of chromosomes, which
contain DNA.
Nuclear Membrane and Pore Composed of an inner and an
outer membrane. The outer
membrane is continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum and is
covered with ribosomes and
so carries out protein
synthesis. The pores allow
exchange of substances
between the nucleus and the
cytoplasm.
Chloroplast electron microscope Photosynthesis in plants takes
4-10µm place in the chloroplast, by
using carbon dioxide and
water and light energy to
produce sugars.
Mitochondria Electron microscope Functions as sites for certain
1-10µm stages of respiration and it is
the powerhouse of the cell i.e.
produces energy in the form
of ATP during aerobic
respiration.
Vacuole Electron microscope Storage of various substances
3µm including waste products. It
contributes to the osmotic
property of the cell and it
 sometimes functions as a
lysosome.
Golgi Apparatus Electron microscope Process, transport and
0.007µm chemically modify materials
contained in it. Makes
lysosomes.
Peroxisomes Breakdown of very long chain
fatty acids through beta-
oxidation.
Lysosomes Electron microscope Used to breakdown structures
1µm or molecules.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Electron microscope Provide large surface area for
2µm chemical reactions. Provides a
pathway for transport of
materials through the cell.
Collects and stores
synthesized materials.
Ribosomes Electron microscope Used for protein synthesis
0.03µm

Flagella 0.2 µm diameter Used for motility, Can move

100 µm long an entire organism or move
materials within an organism
Cilia 0.2µm diameter Used to move an entire
10µm diameter organism or move materials
within an organism.