Introduction to Laboratory Equipment and Microscopes

These flashcards cover fundamental vocabulary related to laboratory equipment and microscopy, aimed at helping students prepare for an exam on the subject.

Laboratory equipment

Tools and devices used for scientific experiments and research.

Microscope

An optical instrument used to magnify small objects.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards in the lab.

Slide

A thin glass plate used to hold objects for examination under a microscope.

Coverslip

A small thin glass cover used over the slide to protect the specimen.

Beaker

A cylindrical glass or plastic container used for mixing and heating substances.

Erlenmeyer flask

A conical flask used for mixing and heating, with a narrow neck.

Petri dish

A shallow glass or plastic dish used for culturing microorganisms.

Pipette

A laboratory tool used to transport a measured volume of liquid.

Funnel

A tube with a wide mouth and a narrow neck used for transferring liquids.

Sharps waste container

A container used to safely dispose of sharp objects like needles and scalpels.

Hazard Warning Signs

Symbols indicating the type of hazardous materials in the laboratory.

Flammable substance

A material that can easily ignite and catch fire.

Toxic substance

A chemical that can cause harm or death if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed.

Corrosive substance

A chemical that can destroy or damage materials on contact.

Oxidizing substance

A chemical that can cause or enhance the combustion of other materials.

Explosive substance

A material that can rapidly release energy, resulting in an explosion.

Environmental hazard

A material that poses a risk to the environment.

Chemical wastes

Substances resulting from chemical experiments that must be disposed of properly.

Ocular lens

The lens through which you look in a microscope.

Objective lens

The primary lens that magnifies the specimen in a microscope.

Coarse adjustment knob

Adjusts the focus of the microscope by moving the stage up and down.

Fine adjustment knob

Refines the focus by making small adjustments.

Mechanical stage

A platform that holds the slide in place for viewing under the microscope.

Condenser

Focuses light on the specimen to improve illumination.

Illumination

The light source used in a microscope to enhance the visibility of the specimen.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Documentation that provides safety information about certain substances.

Analytical chemistry

The study involving the analysis of substances to understand their composition.

Chemical exposure

Contact with chemicals that might cause harm.

Biohazard

Biological materials that may pose a threat to human health.

Dissection

The act of cutting open organisms or parts to study them.

Staining jar

A container used to hold staining solutions for specimens.

Autoclave

A device for sterilizing equipment and supplies by using high pressure and steam.

Incubator

An apparatus used to maintain optimal environmental conditions for biological samples.

Syringe

A device used to inject or withdraw fluids.

Microcentrifuge

A small centrifuge used to separate fluids of different densities.

Dissecting scissors

Scissors designed specifically for cutting tissue or samples in dissection.

Magnetic stirrer

A device that uses a rotating magnetic field to stir solutions.

Spatula

A tool used for mixing or transferring small amounts of substance.

Atomic force microscope

A type of scanning probe microscope that focuses on measuring surface forces.

Scanning electron microscope

Uses electrons rather than light to create an image of a specimen.

Transmission electron microscope

Uses electrons transmitted through specimens to form images.

Confocal microscope

Uses laser beams to scan specimens for high-resolution imaging.

Fluorescence microscope

Uses fluorescence instead of reflection to visualize samples.

Stereo microscope

Provides a 3D view of samples and is useful for dissection purposes.

Light microscope

Uses visible light to produce images of small objects.

Super-resolution microscopy

Techniques that surpass the diffraction limit of light for better resolution.

Compound microscope

Microscope with more than one lens to enhance magnification.

Digital microscope

Utilizes digital imaging technology to capture and analyze images.

Live-cell imaging

Techniques to observe living cells in real-time.

Petri dish culture

A method of growing organisms on a petri dish with specific media.

Immunohistochemistry

A method for detecting specific proteins in cells or tissue sections.

Microscopy

The science of using microscopes to view samples that cannot be seen clearly with the naked eye.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that have a nucleus and organelles enclosed within membranes.

Prokaryotic cells

Cells that lack a nucleus and other organelles; simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Cellular structures

Different parts of a cell, each with specific functions.

Experimental procedure

A methodical process used to conduct scientific experiments.

Laboratory safety rules

Guidelines to ensure safety in the laboratory environment.

Hazard identification

The process of determining potential hazards in the laboratory.

Research protocols

Standard procedures to follow in scientific research.

Data collection

The process of gathering and measuring information on variables.

Calibration

The process of adjusting and setting a measuring device to ensure accuracy.

Liquid handling

Techniques and tools used for transporting liquids in a lab.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Diffraction limit

The smallest detail that can be observed through a microscope.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of living organisms.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Microbial culture

Growing microorganisms in a controlled environment.

Environmental contamination

Pollution of the environment by harmful substances.

Chemical stability

The tendency of a chemical substance to maintain its chemical composition.

Sterilization

A process that eliminates or kills all forms of microbial life.

Tissue preparation

The process of preparing biological tissues for microscopic examination.

Staining techniques

Methods used to enhance visibility of specific structures in microscopy.

Hybridization techniques

Used to detect specific nucleic acid sequences in samples.

Real-time PCR

A laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule.

Flow cytometry

A technology used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of cells.

Sample preservation

Methods to maintain samples for accurate experimental results.

Micrometer

A unit of measurement used to measure the size of microscopic entities.