Reynehart Joy I. Redondo BSED-Biology – 3rd Yr.

NO313

Exercise 1 – Answers

1. The light micrograph (Fig. 9) shows a single type of bacterial cell treated with Giemsa stain. Measure
the length of cell X, and assuming the actual length to be 3 micrometers, calculate the magnification.

Given: 3 micrometers and 18mm

Solution: Magnification = Image ¿ ¿ Actual ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿

18 mm 18 mm
Magnification = = 6000x =
3 micrometers 0.003 mm

micrometers 3 micrometers
mm = = =0.003mm
1000.0 1000.0

2. Take into consideration the magnification computed in number 1. How has magnification of this number
of times been achieved if the light microscope itself (used in taking the photograph) only magnifies 1500
times?

Given: 1500x and 6000x

computed magnification 6000 x

Solution: = = 4 times
actual magnification 1500 x

Since, the image is a light micrograph it means it was magnified 4 times from its original magnification in
the light microscope.

3. With reference to Fig. 9, what internal organization can be distinguished in cell X?

- Nucleoid, Cytoplasm and Capsule
4. Can you see a limiting membrane? Can you deduce its presence? From what feature?
- Yes, I can see it but I can’t see it clearly, I can only assume that the limiting membrane makes the
shape of different cells.

5. In Fig. 9 some cells appear longer or shorter than cell X. Account for the differing lengths of cells A, B,
C, and D by matching each cell with the possible explanation from the list below:
 a. natural variation in length - Cell A
b. a cell in the process of division - Cell C
c. two contiguous (neighboring) cells - Cell D
d. damage or distortion in preparation - Cell B

6. Fig. 10 is an electron micrograph of the same type of bacterium as shown in Fig. 9 (i.e. Escherichia
coli). The picture has been obtained by cutting a very thin section of the bacterial cell along its
longitudinal axis. Measure the total length of the cell, and assuming the actual length to be 2.1
micrometers, calculate the magnification.

Given: 2.1 micrometers and 132.3mm

Solution: Magnification = Image ¿ ¿ Actual ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿

132.3 mm 132.3 mm
Magnification = = 63000x =
2.1micrometers 0.0021mm

micrometers 2.1micrometers
mm = = =0.0021mm
1000.0 1000.0

7. Again with reference to Fig. 10, what are the major differences between the inclusions found in Fig. 9
and the way they appear in Fig. 10?
- The Electron Micrograph (Figure 10) reveals a clearer image of the internal organization of a
specimen than in the Light Micrograph (Figure 9). Now, it’s easier to distinguish the different parts
of the cell unlike with the first figure.
8. What other structural features can be resolved?
- Capsule, Cell wall, Plasma membrane, Cytoplasm, Nucleoid and Ribosomes.

9. Viruses are among the smallest living

organisms known. Fig. 11 is an
electron micrograph of polio virus,
 magnified 85,000 times. Measure the diameter of virus particle X (bottom left) and calculate its actual
diameter.

Given: 2.1 85000x and 3mm

measured diameter
Solution: actual diameter =
magnification

3 mm
actual diameter = = 3.5E-5 or 35 micrometers or 0.035mm
85000 x

10. Could this virus be resolved under the light microscope? Support your answer with values of
resolution.
- No, because the wavelengths of visible light range from roughly 300 to 800 nanometers, viruses
aren't exactly visible under normal lighting. Only optical fluoresce microscopes can see inside a
virus, and then only indirectly, using dye, which cannot actually penetrate a virus.
11. The superior resolving power of the electron microscope is well illustrated by the two photographs (Fig.
12 and 13). They show two nearly identical cells from an onion root tip, both magnified 1000 times. However,
one is taken using a light microscope and the other using an electron microscope.
Key to labeling the electron micrograph:
N Nucleus Ch Chromatin
NM Nuclear membrane Nu Nucleolus
M Mitochondria (mesh-like appearance) R Ribosomes (minute particles)
V Vacuole (fluid-filled) CW Cell wall
D Dictyosome or Golgi Apparatus ER Endoplasmic Reticulum
(small stack of sacs) (like dark threads)
P Plastid
Using intersecting lines in conjunction with the numbers and letters surrounding
Fig. 12, identify the cell inclusion at the point of intersection with reference to the key above.
a. 10H f. 2C
b. 10D g. 11A
c. 8Q h. 3E
d. 16G i. 11Q
e. 2G or 2H j. 13P