lecture 2

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to microbiology lab techniques, microscopy, and staining procedures.

Ocular

The lens in a microscope that you look through to see the specimen.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two points that are close together in a microscope image.

Total Magnification

Calculated by multiplying the magnification of the ocular lens by the magnification of the objective lens.

Refractive Index

A measure of how much light bends when it enters a material, affecting how clearly we see images under a microscope.

Staining

A technique used to enhance contrast in microscopic images by adding dyes to the samples.

Gram Staining

A differential staining technique that classifies bacteria as Gram-positive or Gram-negative based on their cell wall composition.

Peptidoglycan

A polymer that makes up the cell wall of bacteria, affecting their Gram status.

Compound Light Microscope

A type of microscope that uses visible light and multiple lenses to magnify a specimen.

Differential Media

Type of culture media that allows differentiation between different organisms based on observable characteristics.

Selective Media

Culture media designed to suppress the growth of unwanted bacteria while encouraging the growth of the organism of interest.

Mordant

A substance used in staining to help the dye adhere to the specimen.

Simple Stain

A type of staining that uses one dye to highlight basic features like morphology.

Capsule

A gelatinous outer layer found in some bacteria that helps them evade the immune system.

Flagella

A long, whip-like structure used for locomotion found on some bacteria.

Inoculation

The process of introducing microorganisms to a culture medium.

Culture Medium

A nutrient solution used to grow microorganisms in the lab.

Fixation

The process of attaching cells to a microscope slide using heat or chemicals.

Acid Fast Staining

A special staining technique to identify bacteria with waxy cell walls, such as Mycobacterium.

Bacterial Spores

Dormant structures formed by some bacteria that enable survival in harsh conditions.