How have microscopes contributed to our understanding of living organisms? PDF

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A-Level Biology essay...

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Polina Lobacheva How have microscopes contributed to our understanding of living organisms? 1. 2. 3. 4.

Helped understand processes Tissue structure – appearance to function and adaptation Observation of organisms – classification Genetics

Microscope is a tool that all scientists use in order to see and find out more about a tiny object that is clearly too small to accurately observe under the naked eye. This has been beneficial in discovering new life and organisms and also diseases which could then be battled and cured by providing an idea of what needs to be attacked. Microscopes have helped scientist to take a closer look at how specific processes work and effect the organism. One of such processes is cell division such as mitosis and meiosis. At each stage of the process the cell under the microscope lens will look different to the previous stage and after a while there will be distinct pattern which can then be put into a specific order to provide an explanation for how cells divide and replicate. This will also lead to understanding how cells repair, grow and replicate, demonstrating how we are able to stay alive for so long as the processes is continuous. In addition, microscopes have shown scientists the structure of the various tissues which proceeded to help them make conclusions about specific adaptations that each tissue has depending on the organism’s habitat. Same tissues can change shape and adapt to a change in environment, suggesting some organisms can adapt. An example would be how insects have adapted their tracheoles for efficient gas exchange, alveoli in humans and lamellae in fish. This also means that tissues and other specific cells aren’t exactly fixed in their shape and function and can be modified and be used to our advantage. Accurate classification can be done through the use of microscopes. For example, bacterial cells differ to eukaryotic cells in various ways (presence of a cell wall, a capsule, viruses with a protein coat AND the absence of a nucleus, Golgi and mitochondria). Hence with this knowledge scientist are able to use specific organisms to be used from creating new pills for patients battling a sickness to aiding in improving and expanding the eco system. The ability to classify organisms helps us to know the relationship between the different groups of organisms and therefore find the evolutionary relationships. A great impact has been made on the discovery of genes in order to identify genetic abnormality, regeneration and tissue death. This enables scientists and researchers to study infected tissues under the microscope, usually done by a histologist, for the scientists to target the specific area with other microorganisms that will improve its condition and perhaps even create a cure for the diseased tissue....