Take Home Assignment - Biology Cell Analysis free essay sample

Size, Structure and Microscopy Introduction What is life? What are the key factors that biologists have defined that apply to every single organism on the planet? In the 17th century, due to the amazing advancement of the microscope, biologists created a theory to differentiate the living from the non-living called the cell theory. One concept from the theory is that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells. The importance of studying cells is akin to the importance of studying life. By being able to observe and experiment will cells, we are further able to understand their function in the environment, in organisms as well as in ourselves. It is the most fundamental unit of life and is responsible for all functions within an organism. There are many different kinds of cells, which pertain to certain life forms on earth carrying out certain specific functions. Cells can be separated into two categories prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We will write a custom essay sample on Take Home Assignment Biology Cell Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Prokaryotes are typically found in unicellular organisms. They do not have a nucleus or nucleus bound organelles. Therefore their DNA, proteins, ribosomes and etc. are enclosed within the cell membrane, without any specific location. They reproduce by the process of binary fission. The two domains of organisms that contain these cells are bacteria and archae. Archae is a unicellular organism that grows in extreme environmental conditions, it is theorized to be the first organisms on the planet. Bacteria are the largest kingdoms of organisms in the world. They grow in several habitats (in soil, in water, in the Earth’s crust, etc. ). The second kind of cell is the eukaryotic cell. These cells contain a nucleus as well as nucleus bond organelles (for example; Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc. ). Eukaryotes cells exists in four kingdoms; fungi, protists, animals and plants. Funguses are decomposers and are vital for cycling nutrients in the environment. Animals and plants differ in cell structure and function. Animal cells have different organelles (for example; lyzsomes) and an irregular shape. Plant cells also have different organelles (for example; vacuoles and chloroplasts) and rigid cell walls creating a distinct shape. Lastly there is a prosista kingdom, usually containing single cell organisms, which do not have all the characteristics to fit in any other kingdoms. In this experiment, these types of cells were observed and analyzed. The cells observed in this lab were elodea canadensis (eukaryotic, plant), eptiheial, (eukaryotic, animal), paramecium aurelia (eukaryotic, protist), euglena gracilis (eukaryotic, protist), saccharomyces cerevisiae (eukaryotic, fungi) and staphylococcus aureus (prokaryotic, bacteria). Each cell was examined under a microscope in order to observe certain organelles and movements, which would not be possible to view with the naked eye. Under the 40 magnification, elodea canadensis’ (marine plant) has observable chloroplasts and rigid cell wall structures. Elodea canadensis also has a unique function that can be observed under a microscope called cytoplasmic streaming; this is the flow of the cytoplasm around inner lining of the cellular membrane. Epithelial cells, also known as human cheek cells, have observable organelles. Under the 40 magnification, the irregular shaped cell membrane as well as the nucleus was distinguishable. Paramecium Aurelia (protista found in ponds and swamps) have ciliates that are visible at the 40 magnification. They have the appearance of thin, short hairs that surround the cell membrane (embedded in the pellicle). Its function is to help the motility of this unicellular structure, which observed can be described as pushing the cell forward as the hairs pull back. Euglena gracilis (protista found in ponds and swamps) under a magnification of 40 has an observable flagellum. This long thin protein structure at the end of the cell does a propeller motion, allowing the cell to be mobile. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast cell) under the 100 magnification appeared as large round cells. Their cell walls, cytoplasm and nucleus are visible. Staphylococcus aureus (found on animal skin or mucosal surfaces) are difficult to find due to their small size, although they are distinguishable at 100 magnification. They shake and quiver spastically as well as randomly. The purpose of this experiment is to observe cells through the use of a microscope and further be able to determine differences and similarities between these cells. By observing cells, the opportunity exists to analyze organelles and thus determine their function. At the end of the experiment, it should be possible to confirm through observation the difference between eukaryotic, prokaryotic, plant and animals cells as well as specific functions and mobility traits of certain cells. Discussion The 6 cells analyzed in this experiment were elodea canadensis (eukaryotic, plant), eptiheial, (eukaryotic, animal) paramecium aurelia (eukaryotic, protist), euglena gracilis (eukaryotic, protist), saccharomyces cerevisiae (eukaryotic, fungi) and staphylococcus aureus (prokaryotic, bacteria). All of these cells were observed with the Olympus Model CX31RBSFA microscope. The outcomes of this experiment are to confirm the details of certain organelles, mobility patterns and other specific cellular processes. Firstly, the cell elodea Canadensis was analyzed. The qualitative qualities observed were light green rectangular cells joined in a stack formation, bonded together by their cell walls. Inside the cell were several dark green dots, which were the chloroplasts that are unevenly distributed within the cytoplasm. At the 40 magnifications, chloroplasts were measured as 3. 2 um (4. 3 um, refer to table 1 group average) and cell length as 89 um (85. 8 um, refer to table 1 group average). Elodea being a plant cell has a particularly unique and interesting cell membrane structure. The cell walls provide shape due to their rigidity, allowing the organelles inside to form and grow. Also, forming a connection between adjacent cells creating strong intercellular communication pathways. Chloroplasts, the green dots observed on the microscope, contain chlorophyll that provides the green colour of the cell. They are also the sites where photosynthesis occurs; this is how plant cells get their energy. After observing the elodea for five minutes, cytoplasmic streaming began to take place. Cytoplasmic streaming is the movement of organelles and nutrients within the cell. Under the microscope, cytoplasmic streaming was evident when the chloroplasts moved in the same direction along the inside of the cell membrane. The epithelial cell observed under the 40 magnification has observable cellular characteristics. The cellular shape was round, but particularly irregular. A cellular membrane was visible as well as the cell’s nucleus. The cell measured was 21. 6 um (25. 8 um, refer to table 1 group average) and the nucleus was measured 1. 4 um (1. 7 um, refer to table 1 group average). The cellular membrane encloses organelles within the cell, as well as being a communication site for proteins, nutrients and watering flowing in and out of the cell. The nucleus controls all of the cell’s functions and contains all of the genetic material. The paramecium aurelia under observation of 40 magnification displayed a green-gray colour with a long lean shape. The cytoplasm contains several dark green-grey granules, with a nucleus located at the widest part of the cell near the pellicle. The exterior of the cellular membrane appeared to be fuzzy, as it contains small hair like follicles called cilia embedded within the pellicle. The length measured of the cell was 85 um (98. 2 um, refer to table 1 group average). The cilia microscopic hair like functions act as oars for the cells, moving in an uniform motion and rhyme to allow the cell to move easily in water, tissues and etc. The euglena gracili under the 40 magnification had a distinguishable bright green colour and a long cylindrical shape. The cell contained several chloroplasts, a nucleus in the center as well as a dark red photoreceptor located at the far end of the cell containing the flagellum embedded in the pellicle. The length of the cell was measured 51 um (47. 6 um, refer to table 1 group average). Flagellum is a long thin tail like structure that propels in a circular motion, causing the cell to move in a non-uniform and jerky fashion. This movement always it to travel in water finding nutrients and prey, since it is autotrophic and heterotrophic. The saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) were observed at 100 magnification on the same sample slide. The yeast was distinguishably different from the bacteria! The yeast was much larger circular (oblong) shape with a translucent cellular structure, which contained a large nucleus in the center with a vacuole surrounding it.