Biology Lab Safety and Microscopy

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to laboratory safety, microscopy, protists, and scientific methods.

Laboratory Safety

Important to prevent injury, contamination, and ensure proper handling of biological specimens and equipment.

Objective Lens

Magnifies the specimen at various levels (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x).

Ocular Lens

Provides additional magnification, usually 10x.

Stage (Microscope)

Supports the microscope slide.

Diaphragm (Microscope)

Controls the amount of light passing through the specimen.

Total Magnification

Calculated by multiplying objective lens power by ocular lens power.

Field of View

The diameter of the area visible through the microscope.

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two points as separate.

Heterotrophic

Obtains food by consuming other organisms.

Autotrophic

Produces its own food via photosynthesis.

Euglena

Has flagellum, eyespot, mixotrophic (both autotrophic and heterotrophic).

Paramecium

Covered in cilia, has oral groove and contractile vacuoles.

Amoeba

Moves using pseudopodia, engulfs food via phagocytosis.

Diatoms

Photosynthetic organisms with silica shells and symmetrical shapes.

Physarum (Slime Mold)

Multinucleate mass (plasmodium) that moves via cytoplasmic streaming.

Scientific Method Steps

Observation → Hypothesis → Experiment → Data → Conclusion → Communication.

Independent Variable

Variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

Variable being measured or observed.

Primary Literature

Original research articles written by scientists who conducted the study.

Review Article

Summarizes findings from multiple studies on a topic.

Peer-reviewed Literature

Reviewed by experts before publication to ensure accuracy and quality.

Eutrophication Causes

Excess nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) from fertilizers entering water.

Consequences of Eutrophication

Algal blooms, oxygen depletion, fish kills.

HAB

Harmful Algal Bloom.

Fertilizer Bag Numbers

Represent percentages of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

Micropipettor Use

Set volume, press to first stop to draw, second stop to dispense.

Cells per mL Calculation

Count cells in a known volume and scale to 1 mL using dilution factors.

Nutrient Test Strips

Measure nutrient and chemical concentrations in water samples.

Key Parts of a Good Graph

Title, labeled axes, units, appropriate scale, legend if needed.

Difference between a Graph and a Table

Graphs show trends visually; tables organize exact numerical data.