7th Grade Study Guide for Intro to Cells and Microscopes Quiz on 10-27 and 10-28
What is a cell? The smallest unit that can perform all the necessary functions of a living organism.
Where would we find cells? The cell is the basic unit of all living things. All organisms are made up of one or more cells
Where do cells come from? Cells come from cells (just like people come from people). Cells divide to produce new cells.
What are the major types? Cells can be simple (Bacteria and Archaea) or Complex (Eukaryota). They can be plant or animal
What can be found inside of a prokaryote cell? Simple cells have a cell membrane, DNA, cytoplasm, and ribosomes. They do not have a nucleus or organelles.
What can be found inside of a eukaryote cell? Complex cells contain a nucleus and many organelles
How do plant and animal cells differ? Plant cells and animal cells are very similar except that plant cells contain chloroplasts, a cell wall, and one large vacuole. Animal cells don’t have a chloroplast or cell wall and have many, small vacuoles
Why aren’t all of our body cells the same? In the beginning, all of our cells are identical but then our DNA decides how each cell will develop depending on its location (cells in the liver become liver cells, for example). This is called differentiation.
Using the Microscope:
The objective lenses are used to magnify the image. Always start with the red lens (lowest magnification) because it is the brightest, shows the greatest amount of the slide, and has the best depth of field (more is in focus). When you get focused with the red lens, switch to the yellow lens and then finally the blue lens (the greatest magnification)
The slide should be placed in the stage clip. The stage control will move the slide around on the stage.
Begin focusing with the larger course focusing knob and then move to the fine focus knob to fine tune your focus.
Your light can be adjusted with the brightness adjustment control.
To prepare a wet mount slide: Place a drop of water on the slide and place the sample in the water drop. Set the edge of your cover slip in the water at a 45 degree angle and then drop it so that it covers the sample. Tap the cover slip to remove excess air bubbles.