Whats one technological advance that has increased our knowledge of prokaryotic organisms?

Question

Whats one technological advance that has increased our knowledge of prokaryotic organisms?

Answer 1

Electron Microscope is one.

Answer 2

Mere technologoical advancement has nothing to do with our knowledge. It is the application of technology, and minute observation that gives you newer finding. Open and rational thinking, further experimentation [proper track] leads to correct conclusion. This forms basis for our 'new knowledge'.

E.g. when different ciliates are allowed to flow through a thin tube and + an - electordes [110 V DC] are fitted in the direction of the flow, Paramoecium moves towards - electrode against the flow. Thus pure culture of Paramoecium can be developed.

I have various questions about this experiment:

1. How many experts from zoology [or electricity] have this knowledge?

2. The person who found this out had to play with voltage, current, flow rate, and a variety of single cell living beings. What if he did not hit the right combination? What if he missed this particular observation?

3. What is the role / importance of mere new technology [electric charge] in this finding?

4. If you conclude from this expt. that Paramoecium has positive charge, it will be wrong. This is because the animal moves activity towards the - electrode. This observation itself is knowledge. The further question is 'why it moves so?'

5. As you go on digging further, you discover the 'knowledge'.

This is physical means of gathering knowledge.

In good old days it is said that people gained knowledge by mere meditation. There are enough proofs of this fact. If you believe this for the time being, the role of 'technological advencement' in increasing our knowledge is minimized further.

Answer 3

The optical microscope is the first. Without it we wouldn't know that living things are made of cells.

Answer 4

PCR

This is an advantage because you can find out how different types of prok are related

Answer 5

Either a scanning or a transmission microscope, but if the information you require is about the cell, then you can consider the discovery of fossils that could be prokaryotes proved by biomarkers.