Reference no: EM133531779

Assignment: Microscopy

Learning Objectives:

1) Understand different microscopy techniques and their limitations
2) Identify various cell types and cellular structures
3) Understand staining techniques
4) Understand coeliac disease and intestinal inflammation

Introduction:

Histology is an important tool of biology which helps us understand how tissues are structured and how they function. This is helpful when we are investigating diseased or malformed tissues.

In this simulation you will examine a chicken intestine sample that is infected with a retrovirus and observe how the virus infects the lymphocytes (the cells that provide immune protection) and how it inhibits inflammation. Inflammation is a sign of tissue damage. You will use different microscopic techniques to examine chicken intestine slide.

Try out the electron microscope

Electron microscopes can be used to visualize objects that are too small to see when using a light microscope-for example the microvilli. You can zoom in and out to observe different cellular structures such as mitochondria and the cell. Using the 5X magnification, you will identify the villus, and then proceed with higher magnifications to identify smooth muscle, extracellular tissue, epithelial cells, Goblet cells and the nuclei.

Learn about fluorescence staining techniques

For example, by staining the DNA with DAPI, you can easily identify a cell's nucleus. In this part of the lab, you will examine a chicken intestine sample that is infected with a retrovirus and observe how the virus infects the lymphocytes and how it inhibits inflammation. The retrovirus can be further developed as medicine for coeliac disease.

Part I: Complete Labster Microscopy

Part II: Report and Reflection

Purpose: Describe in your own words and in complete sentences, the purpose of this experiment.

Observations: List 3 observations you have made in this simulation.

Answer all the questions below:

A. Distinguish the light microscope from the electron microscope.

B. Draw the three types of muscle tissue.

Smooth muscle           Skeletal muscle        Cardiac muscle

C. What type of cells lines the intestinal lumen?

D. Provide the function of the following cell junctions:

1. Tight junctions:
2. Adherens junctions:
3. Gap junctions
4. Desmosomes

E. Reflection: Reflect on at least 2 key concepts you have learned from this simulation. How would you relate it to the physiological functions of the body?