Cell Biology and Microscope

This flashcard set aims to provide senior high school students the necessary supplements for the course material, Cell Biology and Microscope, in General Biology 1. Disclaimer: This study resource is 100% independent and unofficial; it is not created, endorsed, or affiliated with our school, faculty, or course curriculum. These flashcards are intended strictly for peer-to-peer review and solo study, and they must not be opened or accessed during any quiz, exam, or graded assignment in accordance with academic integrity policies. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, this material is provided "as-is" by a fellow student, not a textbook. The creator assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or individual academic outcomes, including final exam performance or grades. Please cross-reference these cards with your official syllabus and lecture notes.

Cell

The foundational unit of all living organisms which can function independently.

Cell Theory

The biological principle consisting of several postulates regarding cells.

Zacharias Janssen

He invented the microscope.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

He was the proponent of “animalcules” by being the first to observe protists and sperm.

Robert Hooke

He was the proponent of cellulae (cells) in which he was the first to observe when he was viewing cork tissue.

Matthias Schleiden

He was one of the scientists who proposed the cell theory while he was studying plant tissues.

Theodor Schwann

He was one of the scientists who proposed the cell theory while he was studying animal tissues.

Rudolf Virchow

He was the proponent of the idea of cells coming from pre-existing cells.

All living organisms are made of cell.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, explaining how cells are the fundamental building blocks of life.

Cells are the basic unit of life.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, explaining how cells are the smallest unit capable of exhibiting all the characteristics of a living being.

Cells arise from pre-existing cells.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, which supports the idea of biogenesis wherein cells don’t appear spontaneously nor from non-living things, but from cell division.

Cells carry genetic information.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, which supports the idea how DNA is passed from one cell to another during cell division.

Cells are chemically similar.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, which states that all cells within organisms have similar foundational chemical compositions.

Energy flows within cells.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, which explains how all metabolic and biochemical processes occur within cells.

Cell activity depends on its parts.

One of the cell theory’s postulates, which states how combined individual cells form an organism’s activity.

Microscope

An instrument used by scientists to magnify very small objects and observe details not visible through the naked eye.

Optical Microscope

A type of microscope that utilizes visible light and glass lenses to magnify small objects.

Simple Microscope

A type of optical microscope similar to a magnifying glass which utilizes a single double-convex lens to enlarge an image, resulting to having a short focal length.

Compound Microscope

A type of optical microscope which utilizes multiple lenses and light in a row, including ocular and objective lenses, which could result to samples appearing inverted; it is usually used for viewing cells, tissues, and microorganisms.

Electron Microscope

A type of microscope that utilizes a focused beam of electrons to illuminate and magnify samples in a vacuumed environment.

Scanning Electron Microscope

A type of electron microscope that utilizes an electron beam to view detailed surface features and 3D-like images.

Transmission Electron Microscope

A type of electron microscope that utilizes an electron beam that passes through a thin specimen to view internal structure at a very high resolution.

Mechanical Parts

These are the parts of a microscope that provides the structural framework and control mechanisms of the instrument.

Stand or Base

This is the part of a microscope that supports its whole entirety, making it stand properly and not wobble.

Pillar

This is the part of a microscope that combines the base to rest of its parts.

Inclination Joint

This is the part of a microscope that enables its users to tilt the upper part to a desired position.

Substage

This is the part of a microscope found below the stage which contains the iris diaphragm and condenser.

Stage

This is the part of a microscope which acts as a platform to place the slide of the specimen with an opening to let light pass through.

Arm or Handle

This is the part of a microscope that acts as the curved handle that supports the upper optical tube.

Stage Clip

This is the part of a microscope that keeps the glass slide in place.

Fine Adjustment Knob

This is the smaller wheel of a microscope which may move the stage or lens up and down in very tiny, slow steps to sharpen the image.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

This is the larger wheel of a microscope which is responsible for rapidly moving the stage up and down in large increments to quickly bring a specimen into a rough, general focus

Revolving Nosepiece

This is the part of the microscope which holds the objective lenses and lets the user switch between different magnification powers.

Dust Shield

This is the black metallic disk of the microscope located above the revolving nosepiece to prevent dust entering the objectives.

Body Tube or Head

This is the part of the microscope that supports the objectives and the ocular.

Draw Tube

This is the part of the microscope where the eyepiece or ocular is inserted.

Illuminating Parts

These are the parts of a microscope that supply, reflect, and regulate the light needed to see a specimen clearly.

Mirror

This is the part of the microscope used to focus the rays of the light source from the sun toward the object.

Light Bulb

This is the part of the microscope that acts as the light source.

Abbe Condenser

This is the part of the microscope which is used to further control or concentrate the light from the source.

Iris Diaphragm

This is the part of the microscope that regulates the amount of light passing through the condenser​.

Magnifying Parts

These are the parts of a microscope that work together to enlarge the image of a specimen.

Eyepiece or Ocular Lens

This is the part of the microscope that fits into the draw tube.

Objectives

These are the small tubes of the microscope that contain lenses attached to the nosepiece which magnify the object or the specimen.

Low Power Objective

This is the shortest objective used to magnify the specimen’s image up to ten times.

High Power Objective

This is the objective used to magnify the specimen’s image up to 40, 43, or 45 times.

Oil Immersion Objective

This is the shortest objective used to magnify the specimen’s image up to 97 or 100 times, requiring an oil placed on the specimen.

Prokaryotes

These are cells with their DNA loose and not separated from the rest of the cell’s contents by a membrane.

Eukaryotes

These are cells with a membrane-bound nucleus that houses its DNA.

Cytoskeleton

This is the structure of thin fibers of a cell, forming a lattice throughout the cytoplasm, suspending the organelles and allowing cell parts to move.

Centriole

This is the pair of short, rod-shaped organelles of a cell that organize the microtubules which help maintain cell shape and move chromosome during cell division.

Plasma Membrane

These are the semi-permeable membrane of a cell composed of lipid bilayer and protein that regulate the movement of substances.

Cytoplasm

This is the semi-fluid, highly organized pool of raw materials and fluid in which the cell’s organelles are suspended.

Nucleus

This is the membrane-bound structure containing the DNA which controls cell activities and store genetic information.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

This is the one responsible for storing the permanent genetic data of a cell for all living organisms.

Ribonucleic Acid

This is the versatile molecule that translates genetic instructions into functional proteins.

Nucleolus

This is the main region responsible for producing ribosomes.

Nuclear Envelope

This is the double-membrane that surrounds the nucleus.

Ribosomes

These are the particles found free in the cytoplasm that serve as the site for protein synthesis.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

This is the network of membranes inside a cell that helps produce, fold, and transport proteins and lipids

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

This is the type of endoplasmic reticulum that synthesizes and transports proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

This is the type of endoplasmic reticulum that synthesizes lipids and detoxifies harmful substances.

Golgi Apparatus

These are the stacks of flattened membrane sacs that modifies, packages, and distributes proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

These are the membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes that processes waste materials and worn-out organelles.

Temporary Vacuoles

These are the membrane-bound storage sacs that temporarily stores water and nutrients, and permanently traps indestructible toxic substances.

Central Vacuole

This is the massive, permanent, fluid-filled organelle that maintains turgor pressure to keep the plant upright while storing nutrients, wastes, and chemical defenses.

Mitochondria

These are the cellular organelles that convert carbon-containing molecules into adenosine triphosphate which acts as the chemical fuel for cellular activities.

Chloroplasts

These are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis, where they convert water and carbon dioxide to glucose with the help of photons.

Cell Wall

This is the porous external layer found outside the cell membrane that provides structural support, a fixed shape, and armor to withstand either or both internal water pressure and external environmental hazards.

Peroxisome

This a membrane-bound organelle that uses oxygen-based enzymes to neutralize harmful toxins and break down complex fats.

Flagellum

This is a long, hair-like external structure that acts as a locomotive propeller to swim through fluid environments.

Cillia

These are short, numerous, hair-like extensions on a cell's surface that use ATP-powered microtubule motors to either move the cell through a fluid or or move a fluid across a cell.