Topic
Cell Structure and Function
Framing Question
How have the structure and function of microorganisms been revealed by the use of microscopy?
Learning Objectives
- List three different bacterial cell morphologies.
- Identify microbial structures from a given image.
- Describe how the cell structure of Gram-negative and Gram-positive cells leads to a given Gram stain result.
- Explain how bright-field microscopy works and why specimens must be stained.
- Explain how phase-contrast microscopy works and why specimens do not need to be stained.
- Decide on the correct type of microscopy and sample preparation for a given situation.
- Explain how magnification and resolution are controlled in a microscope.
- State the advantages and disadvantages of using bright-field, phase-contrast, dark-field, fluorescence, confocal scanning laser, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy for a given situation.