This document discusses various tools and technologies used by biologists, including different types of microscopes that provide new views of life at the microscopic level. It also describes how imaging technologies are used in medicine for diagnostic purposes. Computer modeling and molecular genetics tools allow biologists to study complex systems, genetic interactions, and genomics in new ways.

1. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
KEY CONCEPT
Technology continually changes the way biologists
work.

2. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
Learning Objectives:
•To explain how imaging technologies are used in biology and
the study of life
•To correctly label a microscope and explain the functions of
its parts

3. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
Imaging technologies provide new views of life.
• A microscope provides an enlarged image of an object.
stoma
– light microscopes (LM)

4. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
stoma
– scanning electron microscopes (SEM)
Imaging technologies provide new views of life.
• A microscope provides an enlarged image of an object.
– light microscopes (LM)

5. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
– transmission electron microscopes (TEM)
stoma
– scanning electron microscopes (SEM)
Imaging technologies provide new views of life.
• A microscope provides an enlarged image of an object.
– light microscopes (LM)

6. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
• Imaging technology is used in medicine.
– X-ray images

7. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
– magnetic
resonance imaging
(MRI)
• Imaging technology is used in medicine.
– X-ray images

8. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
– functional MRI (fMRI)
– magnetic
resonance
imaging (MRI)
• Imaging technology is used in medicine.
– X-ray images

9. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
Imaging technologies provide new views of life.

10. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
A model:
-simulates interactions among many different variables
-provides scientists with a general idea of how a biological
system works
Complex systems are modeled on computers.

11. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
Complex systems are modeled on computers.
• Computer models are used to
study systems that cannot be
studied directly.
– heart attacks
– effect of medicines on the
human body
– movement of water molecules
into and out of a cell
– spread of a disease through a
population
• Computer models are used when
experiments are not safe, ethical,
or practical.
Normal heartbeat
Heart
attack

12. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
The tools of molecular genetics give rise to new
biological studies.
• A gene is a segment of DNA that stores genetic
information.

13. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
• Through our understanding of DNA, we can study
genetics on a molecular level.
– molecular genetics
– genomics

14. 1.4 Biologists’ Tools and Technology
The tools of molecular genetics give rise to new
biological studies.
In genomics, computer
databases store
information and allow
scientists to search for
and retrieve the
information