Microscopy, Classification of Living Things, and Cell Biology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering microscopy concepts, characteristics of living things, taxonomic classification, cell theory, and cellular organelles with their respective functions and structures.

Magnification

The ability to make things look larger than they are.

Compound Light Microscope Image Orientation

Images viewed under the light microscope appear upside down and backwards relative to their actual position on the slide.

Total Magnification Formula

$$\text{Total magnification} = \text{Ocular Lens (Eyepiece)} \times \text{Objective Lens}$$

Dry Mount Slide

A slide prepared in three steps: 1. Slide, 2. Specimen, 3. Coverslip.

Wet Mount Slide

A slide prepared by: 1. Placing a drop of water on the slide, 2. Placing the specimen in water on the slide, 3. Placing a coverslip over the specimen in water.

Organism

Any living thing (examples include horse, tree, mushroom, and strep bacteria).

Six Characteristics of Living Things

All living things: 1. Have Cellular Organization; 2. Contain Similar Chemicals; 3. Use Energy; 4. Respond to their Surroundings; 5. Grow and Develop; 6. Reproduce.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living things.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms made of only ONE cell (for example, bacteria).

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms made of MANY cells (for example, humans).

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food (for example, plants).

Heterotrophs

Organisms that cannot make their own food (for example, animals).

Stimulus

A change in an organism's surroundings (such as light).

Response

An action or change in behavior (such as a plant bending toward light).

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in surroundings (such as shivering, moving to a warmer place, or putting on more clothes to stay warm).

Classification

The process of grouping things based on their similarities.

Taxonomy

The scientific study of how organisms are classified.

Levels of Classification

The hierarchical classification order from broadest (greatest number of organisms) to most specific (least number of organisms): Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species (mnemonic: 'Dear King Phillip Come Over For Good Spaghetti').

Genus

The first word in a two-part scientific name; a group of similar, closely related organisms.

Species (Scientific Name Component)

The second word in a scientific name, which might describe where the organism lives or its appearance.

Rules for Writing a Scientific Name

A complete scientific name is written in italics, the first letter in the first word is capitalized, and most are written in Latin.

Domain

The broadest level of organization; includes Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria.

Domain Eukarya

The domain that contains the familiar kingdoms of plants, animals, fungi, and protists; all organisms in these kingdoms are called eukaryotes.

Domain Archaea

A domain containing a group of unicellular organisms with NO nucleus, which are called prokaryotes.

Domain Bacteria

A domain containing a group of unicellular organisms with NO nucleus, which are called prokaryotes.

Species (Biological Definition)

A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce.

Evolution

The process of change over time.

Natural Selection

The idea that some individuals are better adapted to their environment than others.

Cell Theory Principles

1. All living things are made of cells; 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things; 3. All new cells are produced from existing cells.

Cell Wall

Protects and supports the cell; found in plant cells, while animals do NOT have cell walls.

Cell Membrane

Controls what goes in and out of a cell.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains DNA and directs all of the cell's activities.

Cytoplasm

A gel-like fluid where the organelles are found.

Mitochondria

The 'powerhouse' of the cell that produces energy for the cell.

Ribosomes

Organelles that make proteins; some are found on the ER and others float in the cytoplasm.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Transports materials throughout the cell; Rough ER has ribosomes, while Smooth ER does NOT.

Golgi Bodies

Stores, packages, and distributes materials from the ER.

Vacuoles

Stores water, food, or waste; large in plant cells and small in animal cells.

Chloroplasts

Captures energy from sunlight and uses it to make food; ONLY found in plant cells.

Lysosomes

Contain chemicals that break down certain materials in the cell; ONLY found in animal cells.

Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole; animal cells have no cell wall, no chloroplasts, small vacuoles, lysosomes, and centrioles; both share cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, ER, and Golgi bodies.