Microscope, Cells, & Tissues – Pre-Lab Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering microscope parts, cell organelles, tissue types, and mitosis terminology from Lab Notes 1.

On/Off Switch

Power control that turns the microscope's illumination and power on or off.

Light intensity dial

Dial to adjust illumination brightness; located on the opposite side of the base from the On/Off switch.

Head

The upper portion that holds the ocular lenses and objective lens assembly.

Arm

Support that connects the head to the base; used to carry the microscope.

Base

The bottom support that provides stability for the microscope.

Objective lens(es)

Lenses with different magnifications mounted on the revolving nosepiece.

Fine focus knob

Small knob used to precisely sharpen the image.

Stage

Platform that holds the slide for observation.

Condenser

Lens system that concentrates light onto the specimen.

Ocular Lenses

The eyepieces through which you view the specimen.

Substage light

Light source located beneath the stage to illuminate the specimen.

Coarse focus knob

Large knob used for major focusing adjustments.

Mechanical Stage

Movable stage controlled by adjustment knobs for precise slide positioning.

Mechanical stage adjustor knobs

Knobs that move the mechanical stage in X and Y directions.

Revolving nosepiece

Rotating turret that holds the objective lenses.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that houses the cell's genetic material.

Nuclear Envelope

Double membrane surrounding the nucleus containing nuclear pores.

Chromatin

DNA-protein complex inside the nucleus; condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

Nucleolus

Site of ribosomal RNA synthesis; components of ribosome assembly.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER studded with ribosomes; synthesizes and processes proteins.

Ribosomes

RNA-protein particles that catalyze protein synthesis; can be free or attached to RER.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER lacking ribosomes; involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Mitochondrion

Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP through cellular respiration.

Golgi Apparatus

Stack of flattened membranes that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.

Centriole(s)

Cylindrical organelles that organize spindle fibers during cell division (in animal cells).

Cytosol

Fluid portion of the cytoplasm; mainly water with dissolved substances.

Cytoplasm

Cytosol plus all organelles; region between the nucleus and plasma membrane.

Plasma Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that encloses the cell and regulates substance movement.

Peroxisome

Organelle containing enzymes that break down fatty acids and detoxify reactive oxygen species.

Lysosome

Organelle containing digestive enzymes that break down waste materials.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Multiple cell layers with flat cells at the surface; protective barrier; cross-sectional view used.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; ideal for absorption and secretion.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Single layer of tall cells at varying heights; appears stratified; contains cilia and goblet cells.

Cilia

Hairlike projections on the apical surface that move mucus and debris.

Nucleus (in pseudostratified epithelium context)

Central control region within epithelial cells containing DNA; visible as nuclei.

Goblet cells

Mucus-secreting cells interspersed among pseudostratified epithelium.

Areolar (loose) connective tissue

Loose connective tissue with a gel-like matrix containing elastic and collagen fibers; supports epithelia.

Adipose (loose) tissue

Fat tissue; adipocytes with nuclei compressed to periphery; energy storage.

Dense regular (white fibrous) connective tissue

Tightly packed parallel collagen fibers that resist tension in one direction.

Hyaline cartilage

Glassy cartilage with chondrocytes in lacunae; provides smooth surfaces and support.

Bone (osseous) tissue

Rigid tissue with mineralized matrix and osteocytes in lacunae; supports and protects.

Smooth muscle tissue

Involuntary non-striated muscle; spindle-shaped cells that propel substances.

Cardiac muscle tissue

Involuntary striated muscle with intercalated discs; coordinates heartbeat.

Skeletal muscle tissue

Voluntary striated muscle with multinucleated fibers; nuclei peripherally located.

Blood tissue

Connective tissue with plasma as the fluid matrix and formed elements.

Interphase

Stage of the cell cycle when the cell grows and DNA is replicated; not part of mitosis.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope breaks down, spindle forms.

Metaphase

Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate; spindle fibers attach to kinetochores.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids separate and are pulled toward opposite poles.

Telophase

Nuclear envelopes reform around chromosomes at each pole; chromosomes de-condense.

Nuclear Envelope (mitosis context)

Double-membrane barrier around the nucleus; breaks down during prophase.

Nucleus (mitosis context)

Membrane-bound organelle containing the genome; controls cellular activities.

Chromatin (mitosis context)

Uncondensed DNA-protein complex that condenses into chromosomes during mitosis.

Daughter Chromosomes

Separated chromatids at poles during anaphase; will become separate chromosomes in daughter cells.

Centromere

Region where sister chromatids are held together; attachment site for kinetochores.

Sister Chromatid

One of the two identical copies of a replicated chromosome held at the centromere.

Centrioles

Organize microtubules to form the mitotic spindle; reside near the nucleus in animal cells.

Aster

Radial array of microtubules around each centrosome during early mitosis.

Forming Mitotic Spindle

The developing spindle apparatus that will separate chromosomes.

Kinetochore Microtubule

Microtubules attached to kinetochores that pull sister chromatids apart.