micro 1 Microscopy, Staining, and Direct Examination of Specimens

These flashcards cover key concepts on microscopy, staining methods, and direct examination techniques discussed in the lecture.

What is total magnification in microscopy?

Total magnification is calculated by multiplying the objective magnification by the ocular magnification.

What is the resolving power of a microscope?

Resolving power is the ability to distinguish two adjacent points, which depends on wavelength and numerical aperture.

What are the types of microscopy discussed?

The types include Brightfield, Phase contrast, Darkfield, and Fluorescent microscopy.

What is the purpose of a KOH preparation?

KOH preparation is used to dissolve skin, hair, and nails for better observation of fungal elements.

What is an AFB stain used for?

AFB stains (Acid Fast Bacilli stains) are used to detect Mycobacterium species that are acid-fast.

What is the difference between simple stains and differential stains?

Simple stains color all cells the same (e.g., methylene blue), while differential stains (e.g., Gram stain) differentiate based on cell wall characteristics.

What does a Gram stain indicate about bacteria?

Gram stain indicates whether bacteria are gram-positive (which retain the primary stain) or gram-negative (which do not retain the primary stain and are stained pink).

What is a saline mount used for?

A saline mount helps identify certain organisms in specimens, such as yeast and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Name a fluorescent dye used in clinical microbiology assays.

Auramine-O is an example of a fluorescent dye used in clinical microbiology.

What are the shapes of bacteria as identified in microscopy?

Bacteria can be classified as cocci (round), bacilli (rod-shaped), or spirochetes (spiral-shaped).