Cell Magnification
Fig. 1.2.1 below shows an animal cell
                                                                          _________
                                                                            5m
Fig. 1.2.1 Diagram showing the general structure of an animal cell as seen under the electron
microscope
1 Calculate the magnification factor
2 Calculate the length of structure G
3 Calculate the diameter of the nucleolus
4 Calculate the diameter of the nucleus
5 Calculate the diameter of the cell at its widest point
J. Groves 2010 – Adapted from Nelson AS Biology                                                 1
The diagram below shows a plant cell
                                         ___________
                                               40m
Fig. 1.2.2 Diagram showing the generalised structure of a plant cell as seen with an electron
microscope
1 Calculate the magnification factor.
2 Calculate the thickness of the cellulose cell wall.
3 Calculate the length of the cell.
4 Calculate the length of structure C.
5 Calculate the length of the vacuole.
2 Groves 2010 – Adapted from Nelson AS Biology
J.
Answers
   1) Calculate the magnification factor
   The line 5 m is 20 mm long. So 20 000 m = 5 m
    Magnification is 20 000/5 = x 4 000.
    2) Calculate the length of structure G
    Length of G is 12 mm = 12 000 m
    Magnification is x 4 000
    Real size is 12 000/4000 = 3 m
    3) Calculate the diameter of the nucleolus
    Diameter is 8 mm = 8 000 m
    Magnification is x 4 000
    Real size is 8 000/ 4 000   = 2m
    4) Calculate the diameter of the nucleus
    Diameter is 36 mm = 36 000 m
    Magnification is x 4 000
    so real size is 36 000/4 000 = 9 m
    5) Calculate the diameter of the cell at its widest point
    109 mm = 109 000 m            = 109 000/4 000 = 27–25 m
    For all the answers above there is a tolerance limit of + or – 0.5mm, so + or – 0.1 – 0.2 m
    There are other perfectly correct ways of doing the calculation, so if your method is
    different, but arrives at the correct answer, then that is fine.
J. Groves 2010 – Adapted from Nelson AS Biology                                                    3
Plant cell
1 Calculate the magnification factor.
   The line representing 40 m is 25 mm or 25 000 m long
    Therefore, magnification factor is 25 000/40 = x 625.
2 Calculate the thickness of the cellulose cell wall.
   Wall is 3.0 mm = 3 000 m
    Magnification is x 625
    Actual thickness of wall is 3 000/625 = 4.8 m
3 Calculate the length of the cell.
   120 mm = 120 000 m                 magnification factor is x 625
    Actual length is 120 000/625 = 192 m
4 Calculate the length of structure C.
   29 mm = 29 000 m           magnification is x 625
    Actual length is 29 000/625 = 46.4 m
5 Calculate the length of the vacuole.
   80 mm = 80 000 m              magnification is x 625
    Actual length is 80 000/625       = 128 m.
4 Groves 2010 – Adapted from Nelson AS Biology
J.