Microscopy and Enzyme Activity Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers microscopy principles, units of measurement, practical microscope techniques, and the factors affecting enzyme reaction rates based on the lecture transcript.

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to see separate objects clearly at high magnification.

Electron microscopes

Microscopes with much higher magnification and resolution ability than light microscopes, allowing for discovery inside subcellular structures like mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Milli prefix

A measurement prefix representing anything that is $10^{-3}$ or $0.041\,m$.

Micro measurement

A measurement prefix representing approximately $10^{-6}$.

Nano measurement

A measurement prefix representing $10^{-9}$ or $0.000000001\,m$ (eight zeros followed by a one).

P code (Pico)

A measurement mostly seen in physics representing $10^{-12}\,m$.

Nanometers to micrometers conversion

To convert from nanometers to micrometers, divide by $1000$.

Millimeters to micrometers conversion

To convert from millimeters to micrometers, multiply by $5000$.

Micrometers to nanometers conversion

To convert from micrometers to nanometers, multiply by $5000$.

Iodine

A stain used on onion cells to make structures like the nucleus and the cell wall visible under a microscope.

Coarse focus wheel

The component used at low powers to focus the image so that it is no longer blurry.

Fine focus wheel

The component used at high magnifications to make the image focused at a higher clarification.

Optimum temperature

The specific temperature point where the rate of an enzyme reaction is at its fastest.

Denatured

The state of an enzyme when high temperatures or extreme pH change the shape of the active site so it can no longer bind to the substrate.

Substrate concentration

A factor that increases the rate of reaction due to more collisions until it levels off because all enzyme active sites are full.

Limiting factor

In high substrate concentrations, the enzyme concentration becomes this, preventing the rate of reaction from increasing further.