Technologies that have increased our
understanding of Prokaryotic organisms
Electron Microscope
How has the electron microscope
increased the understanding of
scientists regarding prokaryotic
organisms?
The electron microscope showed the internal
workings of the cells and the structure of bacterial
cell walls. This lead to the understanding that
prokaryotic organisms did not contain a nucleus or
other membrane organelles.
Main features of the electron
microscope
An electron microscope has greater resolving power than a
light microscope, They can achieve better
than 50 pm resolution and magnifications of
up to about 10,000,000x
An electron microscope
uses an electron beam to
illuminate a specimen and
produce a magnified image.
The electron microscope uses
electrostatic and electromagnetic
lenses to control the electron beam and
focus it to form an image.
Deep sea submersible ALVIN.
How has ALVIN increased the
understanding of scientists regarding
prokaryotic organisms?
When ALVIN explored the hydrothermal vents in the mid-Atlantic
ridge, it sampled larger organisms that were found but also
bacterial mats that were on the surfaces on the surrounding rocks. It
was found that these bacteria were different from those that were
currently known. This led to scientists sampling bacteria in other
extreme environments such as hot springs, acid pools and saline lakes.
Main features of
ALVIN
ALVIN was made as a replacement for
bathyscaphes and other less
maneuverable oceanographic
vehicles. Its nimble design was made
possible by the development of
syntactic foam, which is buoyant ant
strong enough to serve as a structural
material at greater depths of the
ocean.
The submersible features two robotic arms and
can be fitted with mission-specific sampling and
experimental gear.
The vessel weighs 17 tons. It allows
for two scientists and one pilot to
dive for up to nine hours at 4,500
metres (14,800 ft).