GCSE Biology 01 — Cell Biology, Transport & Health

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Topics include Cell Structure & Microscopy, Cell Division & Stem Cells, Transport in Cells, Cell Organisation & Specialisation, Digestion & Enzymes, Respiration & Exercise, The Human Circulatory System, and Gas Exchange & Lungs.

Biology EN

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Cell Structure & Microscopy

The fundamental differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, organelle functions, and the use of microscopy to view them.

Key points

Eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi) have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; Prokaryotes (bacteria) are smaller, lack a nucleus, and have DNA in loops/plasmids.
Key organelles: Nucleus (DNA), Mitochondria (respiration), Ribosomes (proteins), Chloroplasts (photosynthesis, plants only).
Magnification formula: $Magnification = \frac{\text{Image size}}{\text{Actual size}}$ .
Electron microscopes offer higher magnification ( $\times 2,000,000$ ) and resolution ( $0.2nm$ ) than light microscopes.
Unit conversions: $1mm = 1000\mu m$ ; $1\mu m = 1000nm$ .

Worked example

Question

A mitochondrion has an actual length of

2\mu m

. The image size under a microscope is

10mm

. Calculate the magnification.

Solution

1. Convert units to match:

10mm = 10,000\mu m

.
2. Formula:

M = I / A

.
3. Substitute:

10,000 / 2 = \times 5000

Common pitfalls

Thinking bacteria have a nucleus (they don't).
Confusing cell wall (support) with cell membrane (transport control).
Forgetting to convert millimetres (mm) to micrometres (µm) in calculations.

Prerequisites

Basic units of measurement (mm, cm)
Concept of living things vs non-living

Further resources

Microscopy and Cells
Clear review of cell structures and microscopy techniques.

BBC Bitesize · article