Microscopy and Mitosis

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to microscopy and mitosis.

Compound light microscope

A type of microscope that uses multiple lenses to magnify objects, with an eyepiece that is typically 10x magnification.

Parfocal

A feature of microscopes that allows for a specimen to remain in focus when switching between objective lenses of different magnifications.

Field of view

The extent of the observable area that can be seen through a microscope; it is largest at the lowest power objective.

Depth of focus

The range of distance within which objects appear in focus; greatest at low power and decreases with higher power.

Interphase

The phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows, duplicates its contents, and prepares for mitosis.

G1 phase

The first phase of interphase where the cell grows and increases in size, duplicating its contents.

S phase

The phase in interphase where DNA synthesis occurs, and the DNA is replicated.

G2 phase

The second growth phase in interphase where the cell prepares for mitosis by developing organelles and proteins.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same chromosome number as the parent cell.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope begins to dissolve.

Kinetochores

Protein structures where microtubules attach during mitosis, enabling chromosome movement.

Cell cycle

The series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and replication.

Nucleolus

A dark spot visible in the nucleus during interphase; involved in producing ribosomes.