Cell Measurement and Cell Structure - GCSE Biology (AQA) Revision

Overview

• Cells are the basic units of life in organisms.
• Most organisms are multicellular with specialized cells.
• Microscopes are essential for detailed cell study.

Types of Microscopes

Light Microscopes

• Used to view cells that the human eye cannot see in detail.
• Animal cells: 0.01 mm - 0.05 mm
• Plant cells: 0.01 mm - 0.10 mm
• Compound microscope: Uses two lenses (objective and eyepiece) to magnify images.

Calculating Magnification

• Formula: Magnification of a microscope = Magnification of eyepiece x Magnification of objective
  • Example: Eyepiece magnification = 10, Objective magnification = 4
  • Total magnification = 10 x 4 = 40

Image Magnification Formula

• Formula: Magnification = Size of image / Real size of object

Key Takeaways

• Different microscopes serve various purposes in viewing cells.
• Compound microscopes are commonly used in school laboratories.
• Magnification is crucial for observing minute details of cell structures.

Additional Resources

• Related topics: Cell division, Transport in cells, Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes.
• Interactive materials and sample exam questions are available.

This summary provides a broad understanding of cell measurement and the use of microscopes in biology. For more detailed explanations and practice, refer to the provided links and resources.