Lab 2: The Microscope and The Cell Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set covering cellular organelles, microscope components, functional optics, membrane specializations, and cellular scenario applications from Lab 2.

Animal Cell Diagram

A structural model showing key organelles including the nucleus, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, mitochondria, lysosomes, microvilli, and cytoskeleton.

Compound Microscope Parts

A diagrammed optical instrument consisting of eyepieces, revolving nosepiece, objectives, mechanical stage, specimen holder, condenser, iris diaphragm, and focus controls.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm in a cell, excluding organelles and insoluble particles.

Cytoplasm

The region of a cell contained within the plasma membrane, comprising the fluid cytosol along with cellular organelles.

Substage Condenser

A component of the microscope located beneath the stage that focuses light directly onto the specimen.

Iris Diaphragm

An adjustable shutter on a microscope used to control the amount of light reaching the specimen.

Ocular (Eyepiece)

The magnifying lens situated at the top of a microscope where the user looks through, fixed at $10\times$ magnification.

Revolving Nosepiece

The rotating mechanism on a microscope that holds multiple objective lenses and allows for switching between magnifications.

Objective Lens

The primary magnifying lens located on the revolving nosepiece directly above the specimen slide (e.g., $4\times$, $10\times$, and $40\times$).

Mechanical Stage

The flat platform that holds the specimen slide, equipped with mechanical adjustment controls for precise movement along the x- and y-axes.

Specimen Holder (Clip)

A spring-loaded mechanism on the mechanical stage designed to pinch and hold a glass slide securely flat against the stage.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

A large control dial on a microscope used to move the stage significantly up or down to bring a specimen into rough focus.

Fine Adjustment Knob

A smaller control dial on a microscope used for precise focus adjustments to sharpen image details, particularly under high power objectives.

Total Magnification

The combined magnification produced by a microscope, calculated as: $\text{Total Magnification} = \text{Ocular Power} \times \text{Objective Power}$

Field of View

The circular area visible when looking through the oculars of a microscope; the physical extent of the specimen visible inside it decreases as magnification increases.

Working Distance

The physical distance between the tip of the objective lens and the slide surface when the specimen is in focus.

Depth of Focus

The thickness or depth layer of a specimen that remains sharply in focus at one time under microscopic examination.

Methylene Blue

A histological stain applied to cellular preparations, such as cheek cell smears, to enhance contrast and highlight cellular structures like the nucleus.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A membrane-bound organelle studded with ribosomes that functions primarily in the synthesis and processing of proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A membrane-bound organelle lacking ribosomes that functions in lipid synthesis and the detoxification of chemicals such as alcohol.

Golgi Complex

An organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, packaging, and secreting cellular products, such as glycoproteins like mucus.

Mitochondria

Organelles that carry out cellular respiration to produce ATP energy required for active cell processes like motility.

Lysosome

An organelle filled with hydrolytic enzymes designed to break down waste, foreign substances, or cellular debris, such as bone breakdown in osteolysis.

Peroxisome

An organelle containing oxidative enzymes that neutralize toxins and produce hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria.

Microvilli

Tiny, finger-like projections of the plasma membrane that function to increase the cell's surface area for absorption.

Cilia

Hair-like plasma membrane extensions that beat rhythmically to move fluids, mucus, or particles across the cell surface.

Flagellum

A long, single whip-like cellular extension that provides motility to propel an entire cell, such as a sperm cell.

Osteolysis

The breakdown and resorption of bone matrix performed by specialized bone cells known as osteoclasts.