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Biological Techniques
- Methods and procedures used by biologists to study macro- and microorganisms
Microscopy
- Provides a magnified image of organisms or cells
- Classified into different types based on method of magnification, and purpose
- Modern Compound Microscopes are composed of:
○ Ocular Lens
▪ Found inside the eye piece
▪ Where the final magnified image can be viewed
▪ Usually has a magnification of 10x or 15x
○ Objective Lenses
▪ Found attached to the nosepiece
▪ Vairy in levels of magnification from x4 up to x1000 or more
▪ Each objective is represented by a particular color
□ Scanner --> Red
□ Low Power --> Yellow
□ High Power --> Blue
□ Oil Immersion Objective (OIO) --> White (OIL)
○ Condenser & Diaphragm
▪ Responsible for the regulation of light for brightness and contrast
adjustments
Parts of a Microscope
Types of Microscopes
- Light Compound Microscope
○ Makes use of light to view section specimen to 200x magnification
○ Can either use a mirror to reflect light from an outside source or has its own built
in light bulb
Slide Preparation
- Wet Mount
○ Fastest and simplest slides to prepare
○ Specimen (usually suspended in liquid) is placed on the slide as a single
drop, sealed with a coverslip, and is ready for examination
- Fixation
○ Adhesion of the specimen to the slide
○ Killing microorganisms to stop their movement (while keeping the structures
intact)
○ Heat Fixation
▪ Thins smears of the specimen are briefly run through a heat source
○ Chemical Fixatives
▪ Ethanol
▪ Formaldehyde
▪ Acetic acid
▪ Denature and stabilize the cell structures
▪ Commonly done in tissue samples
- Staining
○ Method of coloring certain cell structures by applying stains or dyes which
are made of positive/negative ions
○ Dyes are composed of:
▪ Chromophore --> contains the color
▪ Counter Ion --> does not contain the color
▪ Basic Dye --> positive ion is the chromophore
▪ Acidic Dye --> negative ion
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▪ Acidic Dye --> negative ion
○ Dyes are selected based on how they react with the specimen
○ Positive Stain --> dye directly interacts w/ the specimen
○ Negative Stain --> reacts with the environment or background
Staining Techniques
- Can be classified into different techniques based on the number of dyes used,
structures it highlights, and what microscope is going to be used
- Simple Stain
○ Colors all structures the same
○ Used to emphasize certain structures
○ Basic Stains
▪ Stains negatively charged molecules (nucleic acids, proteins)
▪ Methylene Blue, Crystal Violet, Malachite Green, Basic Fuchsin, Safranin
▪ Outcome: Positive Stain (color depends on the dye)
○ Acidic Stains
▪ Stains positively charged molecules
▪ Eosin, Acid Fuchsin, Rose Bengal
▪ Outcome: Positive or Negative (depends on cell chemistry if it repels the
stain)
○ Negative Stain
▪ Stains the background, not the specimen
▪ Indian Ink, Nigrosine
▪ Outcome: Dark Background w/ Light Specimen
- Differential Stain
○ Distinguishes organisms or structures based on their interaction of different
dyes
○ Using multiple stains to better differentiate
○ Gram Staining
▪ Distinguishes cells by cell wall composition (gram positive or gram
negative)
▪ Crystal Violet, Gram's Iodine, Ethanol, Safranin
▪ Outcome: Gram (+) becomes violet, Gram (-) becomes pink
▪ Process
1) Primary Dye
2) Decolorizer
3) Counter Stain (must be different from primary dye)
If accepts primary dye: Gram (+)
If accepts counterstain after step 2: Gram (-)
▪ Examples
□ Gram - Positive
Staphylococcus sp. <-- skin
Streptococcus sp. <-- throat
Scientific Method
- Process of thinking used by scientists to collect information and
provide scientific explanations
Methods of Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning/Bottom-Up Approach
○ Based on specific observations which lead to general
conclusions
○ Generalized conclusion based on featured evidences
○ "Organisms A, B, and C all possess same characteristics as X.
Therefore, organisms having the same characteristics as A, B, and
C probably also possess the same X characteristics."
- Deductive Reasoning/Top-Down Approach
○ Based on general principles to explain scientific observations
○ Logical thinking based on testing observed phenomena
○ "Every organism A has the characteristics of X. The organism
under observation is an organism A. Therefore the organism has
the characteristics X."
Experimental Designs
- Controlled observation to test a hypothesis
- Consists of the following
○ Sample Size
○ Variables
Cell Types
- Membrane-bound organelles
○ Eukaryotic cells
○ Plant & Animal Cells
- Cells that do not have membrane-bound organelles
○ Prokaryotic cells
○ Unicellular organism
○ Bacteria
Prokaryotic Cell
- Earliest and most primitive cells
- Contains only simple structures with very little differentiation
- Size varies from 0.1 - 5 µm (w/ few exceptions)
- Consists of organisms from the Domain Archaea and Bacteria
- Prokaryotes
○ NO nucleus
○ NO membrane-bound organelles
○ ALL are unicellular
○ Smaller than eukaryotic cells
○ Forerunner to eukaryotic cells (smaller & simpler)
○ DNA - Single Strand & Circular
- Structure
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- Structure
○ Capsule --> slimy outer coating
○ Cell Wall --> tougher middle layer
○ Cell Membrane --> delicate inner skin
○ Pili --> used for communication to other cells
○ Cytoplasm --> inner liquid filling
○ DNA --> one big loop
○ Flagella --> for swimming
○ Ribosome --> for building structures
Components of a Prokaryotic Cell
For Structure
○ Capsule
▪ Outermost layer that encases the entire cell for additional
protection
▪ Usually composed of polysaccharides
□ Form of carbohydrate
□ Monosaccharide; sugar, one
□ Disaccharide; sugar, two
□ Polysaccharide; sugar, many
○ Cell Wall
▪ Rigid case that encloses the entire cell
▪ Gives shape
▪ Bacteria: Peptidoglycan
▪ Archaea: NO Peptidoglycan
○ Plasma Membrane
▪ Semi-permeable membrane that encloses the internal
structures of the cells
▪ Regulates the passage of the molecules in & out of the cell
▪ Bacteria: Fatty Acid
▪ Archaea: Non-Fatty Acid Lipids
Eukaryotic Cells
- Highly evolved, complex structures, and larger size compared to
prokaryotes
- Size varies from 10 - 100 µm (w/ few exceptions)
- Exhibits heavy Compartmentalization of internal structures known
as Organelles
○ Organelles are mini-organs for the cell that has its own
functions and purposes
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functions and purposes
- Divided into:
○ Protista
○ Fungi
○ Plantae
○ Animalia
- Derivations vary per classification, but all have the general components
of a typical eukaryotic cell
- Cell structures can be categorized for:
○ Structures for Protection
○ Genetic Control Organelles
○ Manufacturing, Storing, Distributing and Breakdown Organelles
○ Energy Processing Organelles
○ Organelles for Structural Support, Movement and communication
between cells
Structures for Protection
Cell Membrane
○ Functions as a barrier to separate the environment and
internal structures of the cell
○ Regulates the passage of molecules to and from the cell
○ Composed of two sheets of phospholipids, hence the name
Phospholipid bilayer
▪ Phospholipids
□ Organic molecules that exhibit both polar (hydrophilic) and
non-polar (hydrophobic) ends
Hydrophilic --> Loving of water
Hydrophobic --> Resists water
▪ Cause of its bipolar nature is due to its 3 key structures
□ Charged Phosphate Group
□ 3 Carbon Glycerol Molecule
□ Two Fatty Acid Tails
▪ Charge Phosphate Group and the Glycerol Molecule
□ form the phospholipids polar head
▪ 2 Fatty Acids
□ makeup the non-polar hydrophobic tail
▪ Hydrophobic tails move away from the environment and
cluster together forming the middle portion of the lipid bilayer
▪ Hydrophilic heads are faced toward the environment
▪ Because the middle portion of the membrane is non-polar, this
causes it have selective permeability
□ Non-polar molecules such as glucose can't pass freely
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□ Non-polar molecules such as glucose can't pass freely
through the cell
Fluid Mosaic Model
▪ Cis-face
□ At the Top
□ Receiving end of the Golgi
□ Transport vesicles from the ER are fused with the cisterna
of the Golgi
□ Responsible for returning incorrectly sent proteins back to
the ER
▪ Dictyosome/Medial-face
□ At the Middle
□ Bulk or main stacks of cisternae
□ Responsible for processing proteins and lipids and
directing them to their destinations
□ Packs and prepares proteins
▪ Trans-face
□ Shipping end of the Golgi
□ Sorts and directs the modified proteins to their destination
by budding off secretory vesicles
- Lysosomes
○ Acts like a digestive system for a cell
○ Free floating organelles
○ Contains enzymes that dismantle and recycle food particles,
captured bacteria, worn-out organelles, and debris
○ Enzymes, known as lysozyme, originates from the RER
▪ Recognized, refined and packaged by the Golgi body where it
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▪ Recognized, refined and packaged by the Golgi body where it
fuses with transport vesicles carrying cell debris
○ Main function is intracellular digestion by means of autophagy
- Peroxisome
○ Structurally identical to lysosomes however, the enzymes present
are from the Golgi body
○ Have much higher concentrations than lysosomes
○ Mainly function to dispose of toxic substances and lipids
Energy Processing Organelles
- Mitochondria
Prokaryotic Cell
- Earliest and most primitive
- Simple structures
- 0.1 -5 μm
- NO nucleus
- NO membrane-bound organelles
- DNA --> single strand & circular
- For structure
○ Capsule --> encases the entire cell
○ Cell Wall --> rigid case that encloses the entire cell
○ Plasma Membrane --> encloses the internal structure; semi-
permeable
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permeable
○ Mesosome --> folded part of the plasma membrane
○ Cytoplasm & Cytosol --> gel-like substance
- For Activities and Function
○ Ribosome --> for protein synthesis
○ Pili --> for attachment to other cells; passing of genetic material
○ Flagellum --> for movement; tail-like appendage
○ Fimbriae --> used for attachment; thinner than pili
- For Genetic Material
○ Nucleoid --> where DNA is present
○ Plasmid --> small independent loops of DNA
Eukaryotic Cells
- Highly evolved, complex structures, and larger size
- 10 -100 μm
- ORGANELLES (mini-organs) --> Heavy compartmentalization of internal
structures
- Structures for Protection
○ Cell Membrane --> barrier to separate the environment and
internal structures; regulates the passage of molecules
○ Cell Wall --> additional boundary; only found in plant cells
○ Cytoplasm --> jellylike substance;
▪ Cytosol --> liquid component of the cytoplasm
- Genetic Control Organelles
○ Nucleus --> storehouse of genetic information (DNA)
○ Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) --> information needed for cell
activities
- Manufacturing, Storing, Distributing, and Breakdown
Organelles
○ Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) --> extensive folded membrane
▪ Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) --> stores protein made
by attached ribosomes
▪ Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) --> builds lipids &
carbohydrates; detoxification of drugs & poison
○ Protein Synthesis Process
1. Ribosomes (proteins)
2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
3. Golgi Bodies
○ Ribosomes --> sites of protein synthesis; builds proteins from
amino acids
○ Golgi Apparatus/Body --> processing system that sorts, modifies,
and packages products from the ER
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and packages products from the ER
▪ Cis-Face --> receiving end
▪ Dictyosome/Medial-Face --> packs and prepares proteins
▪ Trans-Face --> shipping end
○ Lysosomes --> digestive system of the cell
○ Peroxisome --> disposes of toxic substance and lipids
- Energy Processing Organelles
○ Mitochondria --> powerhouse of the cell
○ Plastids --> only found in plant cells; group of large organelles
▪ Chloroplasts --> green colored; sites of energy
▪ Chromoplasts --> colored plastids
▪ Leucoplasts --> non-colored; storage for nutrients
- Structural Support, Movement and Communication Between
Cells
○ Cytoskeleton --> mechanical and structural framework of support
○ Centrosomes and Centrioles --> microtubules are assembled and
arranged
○ Cell Surface and Junctions --> cells are joint to each other by
structures called junctions
○ Plasmodesmata --> transport, communication & signaling between
cells; cytoplasmic "bridges"
○ Vacuole --> food storage in plants
Plasma Membrane
- Boundary between the cell's internal and external environments
- Regulates all substances that enter and exits the cell
- Has SELECTIVE PERMEABILITY, which makes it a semi-permeable membrane
○ Mosaic --> derived from the diverse proteins and other macromolecules
embedded within the membrane
○ Fluid --> embedded macromolecules are able to move along and across the
membrane regularly and also because of the hydrophilic heads
- Transmembrane Proteins
○ Regulate the movement of molecules across the membrane
Transport Mechanisms
Passive Transport
- NO energy will be spend to move the solutes across
Simple Diffusion
Facilitated Diffusion
○ Proteins manage and assist the movement of solutes across the membrane
○ Makes use of channel proteins or carrier proteins
○ Channel Proteins
▪ Provides a small hydrophilic passageway for specific molecules and ions
▪ Leak Channels --> remains open
▪ Gated Channels --> can be opened or closed depending on the presence of
a stimulus
○ Carrier Proteins
▪ Requires the molecule being transported to attach itself to the carrier protein
○ Requires 3 conditions to be met
▪ There should be a concentration gradient on either side of the membrane
□ High = "hyper"
□ Concentration gradient formed by the solutes side the cell would cause
water from the environment to rush inside
□ Swollen cell
▪ Hypertonicity/Hypertonic Solution
Active Transport
- Relies on the expense of cell energy, ATP
- Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
- Needed to move molecules against their concentration gradient to maintain internal
conditions
Active Transport According to Energy
- Primary Active Transport
○ Intentional and uphill mode of transport
○ Transport protein directly uses energy from ATP phosphorylation
- Secondary Active Transport
○ Seen as the aftermath of primary active transport
○ Molecule is transported due to the difference in energy from the
phosphorylation of energy
Active Transport According to Direction
- Coupled/Co-transport
○ One protein shuttles two different molecules across the membrane in the
same direction
○ Both molecules must have an affinity for the transport protein, which is now
referred to as a symporter
- Counter-Transport
○ One transporter moves two different molecules across the membrane in
different directions
○ Often a combination of primary and secondary active transport
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○ Often a combination of primary and secondary active transport
○ Movement may be simultaneous or in sequence
○ Both molecules must have an affinity for the transport protein, which is now
referred to as a antiporter
○ A protein may transport a single molecule against its concentration gradient,
it's referred to as a uniporter regardless of the direction
Bulk/Vesicular Transport
- Endocytosis
○ Endo means "into"
○ Cells engulf large particles by extending their cytoplasm around the particles
○ Ingested particle is trapped within a pouch or vacuole inside the cytoplasm
○ Enzymes from the lysosomes are used to digest the molecules absorbed
○ Phagocytosis --> large/solid particle; "cell eating"
○ Pinocytosis --> small/liquid particle; "cell drinking"
- Exocytosis
○ Exo means "exits"
○ Exit digested stuff
Chemosynthesis
- Process by which some organisms use chemical energy instead of
light energy to make energy-storing carbon-based molecules
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light energy to make energy-storing carbon-based molecules
- Sample of Chemosynthesis
Photosynthesis
- Comes from the Greek words:
○ "Photo" = "light"
○ "synthesis" = "putting together"
○ Using light to put something together, specifically carbohydrates
- Chloroplasts: The Sites of Photosynthesis in Plants
○ Found mainly in the cells of the mesophyll, the tissue in the
interior of the leaf
○ Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters the leaf, and exits by way of
microscopic pores called stomata
○ Water (H2O) absorbed by the roots is delivered to the leaves in
veins
○ Leaves also use veins to export sugar to roots and other non-
photosynthetic parts of the plant
- Photosynthetic Pigments: The Light Receptors
○ Pigments are substances that absorb visible light
○ Types of Pigments in Chloroplasts
▪ Chlorophyll A (blue green)
□ Participates directly in the light reactions
□ Suggests that violet-blue and red light work best for
photosynthesis; green is the least effective color
▪ Accessory Pigment Chlorophyll B (olive green)
▪ Carotenoids
□ Group of accessory pigments
□ Hydrocarbons that are various shades of yellow and
orange because they absorb violet and blue-green light
□ Important function is photoreception
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□ Important function is photoreception
□ Absorb and dissipate excessive light energy that would
otherwise damage chlorophyll or interact with oxygen,
forming reactive oxidative molecules that are dangerous
to the cell
○ Why Leaves are Green?
Cellular Respiration
- Glycolysis is needed for cellular respiration
○ Takes place in the cytoplasm before cellular respiration and it
does not require oxygen
○ Makes a small number of ATP molecules
○ If oxygen is available, the product is used to produce many more
ATP molecules through cellular respiration
○ Process in which glucose is broken down to produce energy
○ Products of Glycolysis
▪ 2 ATP
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▪ 2 ATP
▪ 2 NADH
▪ 2 pyruvate
○ ATP = energy for cell
○ NADH & Pyruvate = needed for cellular respiration when oxygen is
present
- The Krebs Cycle is the 1st main part of cellular respiration
1. Pyruvate from glycolysis is broken down
2. Coenzyme A bonds to the two-carbon molecule. This
intermediate molecule enters the Krebs cycle
3. Citric acid is formed
4. Citric acid is broken down and NADH is made
5. The five-carbon molecule is broken down, NADH and ATP are
made
6. The four-carbon molecule is rearranged. NADH and FADH2 are
formed
○ For each pyruvate, the Products of Krebs cycle are
▪ 3CO2 (waste product)
▪ 1 ATP
▪ 4 NADH (to the electron transport chain)
▪ 1 FADH2 (to the electron transport chain)
- Electron Transport Chain is the 2nd main part of Cellular
Respiration
1. Electrons removed from NADH & FADH2
2. Hydrogen ions transported across the membrane
3. ADP is changed into ATP when hydrogen ions flow through ATP
synthase
4. Water is formed when oxygen picks up electrons and hydrogen
ions
- Products of the Whole Process of Cellular Respiration
○ Carbon dioxide (CO2)
▪ Waste product from the Krebs cycle and from the
breakdown of pyruvate before the Krebs cycle
○ Water (H2O)
▪ Waste product from the electron transport chain
○ Net gain of up to 38 ATP molecules for every glucose molecules
▪ 2 from glycolysis
▪ 2 from Krebs cycle
▪ Up to 34 from electron transport chain
Fermentation
- Does not make ATP
-
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- Allows glycolysis to continue
- Removes electrons from NADH molecules and recycles NAD+
molecules for glycolysis
1. Pyruvate and NADH from glycolysis enters the fermentation process. 2
NADH molecules provide energy to convert pyruvate into lactic acid (for
lactic acid fermentation) or alcohol and carbon dioxide (alcoholic
fermentation). As the NADH molecules are used, it is converted back into
molecules of NAD+
2. 2 molecules of NAD+ are recycled back to glycolysis. The recycling of
NAD+ allows glycolysis to continue.
Two Types of Fermentation
- Lactic Acid Fermentation