Examining Skeletal Muscle Under a Microscope (AQA A Level Biology)

Revision Note

Test yourself
Lára

Author

Lára

Last updated

Examining Skeletal Muscle Under a Microscope

  • Many biological structures are too small to be seen by the naked eye
  • Optical microscopes are an invaluable tool for scientists as they allow for tissues, cells and organelles to be seen and studied
  • For example, the movement of chromosomes during mitosis can be observed using a microscope

How optical microscopes work

  • Light is directed through the thin layer of biological material that is supported on a glass slide
  • This light is focused through several lenses so that an image is visible through the eyepiece
  • The magnifying power of the microscope can be increased by rotating the higher power objective lens into place

Apparatus

  • The key components of an optical microscope are:
    • The eyepiece lens
    • The objective lenses
    • The stage
    • The light source
    • The coarse and fine focus

  • Other tools used:
    • Forceps
    • Scissors
    • Scalpel
    • Coverslip
    • Slides
    • Pipette

Optical microscope, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notesImage showing all the components of an optical microscope

Method

  • Preparing a slide using a liquid specimen:
    • Add a few drops of the sample to the slide using a pipette
    • Cover the liquid/smear with a coverslip and gently press down to remove air bubbles
    • Wear gloves to ensure there is no cross-contamination of foreign cells

  • Preparing a slide using a solid specimen:
    • Use scissors to cut a small sample of the tissue
    • Peel away or cut a very thin layer of cells from the tissue sample to be placed on the slide (using a scalpel or forceps)
    • Some tissue samples need be treated with chemicals to kill/make the tissue rigid
    • Gently place a coverslip on top and press down to remove any air bubbles
    • A stain may be required to make the structures visible depending on the type of tissue being examined
    • Take care when using sharp objects and wear gloves to prevent the stain from dying your skin

  • When using an optical microscope always start with the low power objective lens:
    • It is easier to find what you are looking for in the field of view
    • This helps to prevent damage to the lens or coverslip incase the stage has been raised too high

  • Preventing the dehydration of tissue:
    • The thin layers of material placed on slides can dry up rapidly
    • Adding a drop of water to the specimen (beneath the coverslip) can prevent the cells from being damaged by dehydration

  • Unclear or blurry images:
    • Switch to the lower power objective lens and try using the coarse focus to get a clearer image
    • Consider whether the specimen sample is thin enough for light to pass through to see the structures clearly
    • There could be cross-contamination with foreign cells or bodies

  • Using a graticule to take measurements of cells:
    • A graticule is a small disc that has an engraved ruler
    • It can be placed into the eyepiece of a microscope to act as a ruler in the field of view
    • As a graticule has no fixed units it must be calibrated for the objective lens that is in use. This is done by using a scale engraved on a microscope slide (a stage micrometer)
    • By using the two scales together the number of micrometers each graticule unit is worth can be worked out
    • After this is known the graticule can be used as a ruler in the field of view

Graticule Calibration, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The stage micrometer scale is used to find out how many micrometers each graticule unit represents

Limitations

  • The size of cells or structures of tissues may appear inconsistent in different specimen slides
    • Cell structures are 3D and the different tissue samples will have been cut at different planes resulting in this inconsistencies when viewed on a 2D slide

  • Optical microscopes do not have the same magnification power as other types of microscopes and so there are some structures that can not be seen
  • The treatment of specimens when preparing slides could alter the structure of cells

Skeletal muscle under the microscope

  • It can be very difficult to make out the features of skeletal muscle fibres using an optical microscope
  • Banding is visible, this is why it is referred to as striated muscle

Optical microscope skeletal muscle, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The dark bands produce a characteristic striped appearance

  • Electron microscopes are often used to see muscle fibres in more detail
  • They reveal the structure of myofibrils

Mammalian Muscle Under The Microscope 1, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes Mammalian Muscle Under The Microscope 2, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notesThe detailed structures of the muscle fibres are visible due to the much stronger magnification of the electron microscope

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Lára

Author: Lára

Expertise: Biology Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.