General Biology 1: Cell Theory and Microscopy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key historical figures, cell theory principles, microscope components, and microscopy techniques from General Biology 1.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who named the cell in 1665 based on observations of cork tissue cell walls and coined the term 'cellulae'.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Scientist who created the first microscope in the late 1600s, documented unicellular organisms (protozoa in 1673 and bacteria in 1683), and coined the term 'animalcules'.

Animalcules

The term coined by Anton van Leeuwenhoek to describe the microscopic unicellular organisms (protozoa and bacteria) he observed.

Robert Brown

Scientist who noticed the random jiggling motion of pollen grains in water ('Brownian motion') between 1827 and 1833 and discovered the cell nucleus.

Brownian Motion

The jiggling movement of pollen grains in water observed by Robert Brown.

Matthias Schleiden

Botanist who proposed in 1838 that cells are the fundamental units of plants based on observations of plant tissue.

Theodor Schwann

Zoologist who proposed in 1839 that cells are the fundamental units of animals based on observations of animal tissue.

Rudolph Virchow

Scientist who stated 'omnis cellula a cellula' in 1855, proposing that all cells arise from pre-existing cells based on observations of dividing cells.

Omnis Cellula a Cellula

A Latin phrase stated by Rudolph Virchow meaning 'all cells arise from pre-existing cells'.

Cell Theory

Fundamental biological principle credited to Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow stating that all organisms are made of cells, cells are the smallest structural and functional units of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Viruses

Biological entities not composed of cells, consisting of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) in a protein coat, which require host assistance to carry out cellular processes.

Magnification

The increase in the apparent size of an object when viewed under a microscope.

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to show details clearly.

Compound Light Microscope

A microscope using light and a pair of lenses (ocular and objective) to view thin or small specimens up to around $1000\times$ magnification, capable of viewing live specimens.

Low Power Objective (LPO)

An objective lens that covers a wider field of view.

High Power Objective (HPO)

An objective lens that produces a larger image of the specimen.

Eyepiece Lens

The component of a microscope that magnifies the image produced by the objective lens for the viewer.

Coarse Adjustment

A knob on a microscope used for rough focusing of the specimen.

Fine Adjustment

A knob on a microscope used for precise focusing of the image.

Nosepiece

The revolving part of a microscope that holds and moves the desired objective lens into position.

Diaphragm Lever

A control mechanism on a microscope that regulates the amount of light reaching the object.

Condenser

A component of a microscope that focuses light directly onto the object.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

An electron microscope that produces 3D images of specimens coated with a fine metal layer at $100000\times$ magnification, unusable for living specimens.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

An electron microscope that passes an electron beam through very thinly sliced specimens focused by magnetic lenses, achieving up to $200000\times$ magnification, unusable for living specimens.