Compare the maximum useful magnification of a light microscope with that of an electron microscope.

A light microscope magnifies up to about ×1500, while an electron microscope can magnify more than ×1 000 000.

Name two sub-cellular structures that could only be studied once electron microscopes were developed.

Ribosomes and the internal folded membranes of mitochondria.

Explain how improvements in microscope technology have changed our understanding of cells.

Greater magnification and resolution revealed organelles that were previously invisible, which allowed scientists to work out what each one does.

Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 1SC0

Key Concepts in Biology

Topic overview Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells Specialised cells and their adaptations Microscopes and magnification calculations Size, scale and units in cell biology Enzyme action and denaturation Factors affecting enzyme activity Enzymes in synthesis and digestion, and rate calculations Diffusion, osmosis and active transport Osmosis in potatoes and percentage change in mass

Cells and Control

Topic overview Mitosis and the cell cycle Why mitosis matters: growth, repair and cancer Growth, differentiation and percentile charts Stem cells and their use in medicine Neurones, receptors and the reflex arc

Genetics

Topic overview Meiosis and the formation of gametes DNA structure, genes and the genome Extracting DNA from fruit Alleles, genotype and phenotype Monohybrid crosses and sex determination Probability and ratios from genetic crosses Causes of variation: genes and environment The Human Genome Project Genetic variation and the effects of mutation

Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

Topic overview Natural selection and antibiotic resistance Fossil evidence for human evolution Stone tool evidence for human evolution Five kingdoms and the three domains Selective breeding Genetic engineering and modern agriculture

Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines

Topic overview Health, disease and susceptibility Pathogens and common infections How pathogens spread, and the virus life cycle Sexually transmitted infections Physical barriers and chemical defences The immune system, immunisation and herd immunity Antibiotics and developing new medicines Lifestyle factors and non-communicable disease Treatments for cardiovascular disease

Plant Structures and Their Functions

Topic overview Photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction Limiting factors in photosynthesis Light intensity and the rate of photosynthesis Root hair cells, xylem and phloem Transpiration and translocation Factors affecting the rate of transpiration

Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis

Topic overview Hormones, endocrine glands and homeostasis The menstrual cycle and its hormones Hormonal and barrier contraception Controlling blood glucose, and type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes and body mass

Exchange and Transport in Animals

Topic overview Why multicellular organisms need exchange surfaces Alveoli and gas exchange The blood and its components Arteries, veins and capillaries The heart and the circulatory system Cellular respiration as an exothermic reaction Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared Investigating the rate of respiration Cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate

Ecosystems and Material Cycles

Topic overview Levels of organisation and interdependence Abiotic and biotic factors in a community Parasitism and mutualism Sampling with quadrats and transects Estimating population size from field data Human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity The carbon cycle The water and nitrogen cycles

Key Concepts in Biology

Microscopes and magnification calculations

3 things to know
Papers 1 and 2

Overview

Magnification and resolution, why electron microscopes resolve finer detail and what they revealed, preparing, staining and focusing an onion slide, total magnification, the magnification equation and calculating actual size in micrometres, rules for scientific drawings, and reducing error when measuring cells.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is meant by the magnification of a microscope?

Key term

What is meant by the resolution of a microscope?

Key term

Explain why an electron microscope has a much higher resolution than a light microscope.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is meant by the magnification of a microscope?
Model answer
Magnification is the number of times larger an image appears compared with the real specimen.
2
What is meant by the resolution of a microscope?
Model answer
Resolution is the smallest distance between two points that can still be seen as two separate points.
3
Explain why an electron microscope has a much higher resolution than a light microscope.
Model answer
It uses a beam of electrons instead of light, and electrons have a far shorter wavelength, so much finer detail can be separated.
4
Compare the maximum useful magnification of a light microscope with that of an electron microscope.
Model answer
A light microscope magnifies up to about ×1500, while an electron microscope can magnify more than ×1 000 000.
5
Name two sub-cellular structures that could only be studied once electron microscopes were developed.
Model answer
Ribosomes and the internal folded membranes of mitochondria.
6
Explain how improvements in microscope technology have changed our understanding of cells.
Model answer
Greater magnification and resolution revealed organelles that were previously invisible, which allowed scientists to work out what each one does.

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Key Concepts in Biology

Cells and Control

Genetics

Natural Selection and Genetic Modification

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ANitrates cause an algal bloom that blocks the light.

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